As leaders, we will need to make a lot of decisions. When we look at our choices through the eyes of a servant, our decisions become clearer. Servanthood affects decision making.<\/p>\n
Examples of How Making Servanthood a Priority Affects Decision Making<\/h2>\n
Jesus “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mk. 10:45). That purpose determined when it was time to move on. After He spent time in prayer, His disciples found Him and exclaimed, “Everybody’s looking for you.” Pressure of pleasing people didn’t become His primary consideration in deciding what to do. Looking at the greater good He said, “Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” (Mk. 1:35-39) Servanthood didn’t mean doing everything people asked of Him.<\/p>\n
Now look at the example of the Apostle Paul making decisions. He wrote to the Corinthians that he would come to them after going through Macedonia, hoping to stay with them for a while. He said, “For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you” (1 Cor. 16:5-7). His decision was guided by relational concerns and what would yield the greatest opportunity to serve. But, he added, “if the Lord permits” (1 Cor. 16:7). He submitted decisions to God’s guidance, acknowledging Him as the Master. Ultimately it wasn’t about Paul and His desires or preferences.<\/p>\n
Paul then gave the basis for his timetable. He said, “But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me” (1 Cor. 16:8-9). He had discerned that God had clearly opened a door for serving in Ephesus which helped him decide when to go to Corinth. Interestingly he tacked on, “and there are many who oppose me” (1 Cor. 16:9). He made the decision to stay with his eyes wide open, knowing there’d be opposition. Being a servant didn’t mean everyone would like him.<\/p>\n
Lessons for Us About Making Decisions with Serving as a Priority<\/h2>\n
Both Jesus and the Apostle Paul made decisions based on what would serve the greater good. They didn’t focus in solely on their immediate circumstances or the demands of people. Do we stop to consider the big picture when making decisions?<\/em><\/p>\n
Jesus had to make a decision that went against the wishes of the crowd for Him to stay. He could have let ego get in the way of the right decision, but He didn’t. Do we make decisions because they’re for the best way to serve or because they make us look and feel good?<\/em><\/p>\n
Paul faced opposition. He could have let fear get in the way of making the right decision, but he didn’t. Making decisions as a servant doesn’t always make us popular. Do we make decisions because they’re for the best or based on what’s easiest, most comfortable for us, or the path of least resistance?<\/em><\/p>\n
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Jesus “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mk. 10:45). That purpose determined when it was time to move on. After He spent time in prayer, His disciples found Him and exclaimed, “Everybody’s looking for you.” Pressure of pleasing people didn’t become His primary consideration in deciding what to do. Looking at the greater good He said, “Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” (Mk. 1:35-39) Servanthood didn’t mean doing everything people asked of Him.<\/p>\n