Last year, at a neighbor’s Retirement Party, her former boss, now herself retired for over ten years, drove several hours to participate in the Open Mic time, saying she (the retiree) had been such an outstanding employee, that it would have been unthinkable to miss the opportunity to congratulate her on this most special occasion. (How many bosses would have done that?) Then, an employee took the mic to say the retiree was the best boss he’d ever had the pleasure of working for in all his working years. At another neighbor’s Retirement Party, two young ladies who had graduated from ROTC, returned to say he had been much more than an instructor. He had given them the dignity and sense of empowerment to now be successful in their respective careers. They appreciated him both as a mentor and as a friend who had listened patiently to their troubles and given solid guidance. It was so heartwarming to hear these spontaneous words of praise and thanks spoken to a supervisor and an instructor! Better yet, personally to know such deserving ones!
The two retirees mentioned above had made their Christian testimony known through their lives, actions, and attitudes. Through their positions of authority they had served and built up those working for them. God’s Kingdom was at work through them as they worked.
Jesus stunned his disciples when he not only made space for children but elevated them as having the essential characteristics of Kingdom dwellers. Adding further that, without childlike faith, no one could ever enter the Kingdom of God! This radical departure from the world system to which they themselves were submitted/enslaved, gave rise to much questioning as to how this ever could be possible. Through the persecution that was to follow, they would have these questions answered.
Through media saturation in recent years, we’ve become acutely aware of the worldwide crises created by those who are the antithesis of childlike in their leadership style. From bullying their own countrymen to annihilating them through war and oppression, these sin-sick, power-hungry leaders are devastating those they are sworn to protect. And God sees.
Jesus spoke plainly to the disciples, saying it was to be different with them. They were not to lord it over others. They were to follow Jesus’ example of loving servanthood, laying down their lives for others as he would soon do for them. They were to be ongoing sources of hope and healing and joy. As are we, today, in any arena where we have been given authority! PD