Servant-Leaders and Hope
The world struggles with disease, abuse, corruption, wars, poverty, etc. How can we, as servant-leaders, inspire hope in dark places and bring light but also bring change to a hurting world?
Servant-leaders can inspire hope, bring light in dark places, and transform a hurting world by ‘Helping Other People Excel.’
This acronym for H.O.P.E. came to me many years ago when pondering how to impact our society. Many people suffering under the devastating effects of sin feel lost and hopeless. Jesus, the light of the world, calls His followers the light of the world and exhorts them to let their light shine before humankind in such a way that they may see their good works and glorify their Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16). He “commissioned the help of others who will follow in His footsteps” (Agosto, 2005, p. 40.) Jesus exemplifies how these followers are to let their light shine with good works intended to help people overcome the effects of sin and thrive personally and professionally.
For example, Jesus’ life demonstrates the “two values associated with the dimension of voluntary subordination, namely being a servant and acts of service” (Sendjaya, 2015, p. 42). Because of His love for humankind, Jesus chose to become a servant and aligned His actions with His nature (Philippians 2:6). Christlike servant-leaders who learn to love people and voluntarily “consider others’ needs and interests above their own” are the kind of people who can transform the world into a better place for all (Philippians 2:4-5; Sendjaya, 2015, p. 47; Greenleaf, 2002). Moral love is the foundational starting point for this virtuous approach to servant-leadership, culminating in service (Patterson, 2003).
Some people seek comfort in saying things such as ‘Everything will be all right.’ On what can they base such affirmations? Is wishful thinking the same as hope?
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6a). Encouraging others based on His truth brings hope, not merely wishful thinking. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NASB).
References
Agosto, E. (2005). Servant leadership: Jesus & Paul. Chalice Press.
Greenleaf, R. K. (2002). Servant leadership: A journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness. Paulist Press.
Patterson, K. A. (2003). Servant leadership: A theoretical model. Doctoral dissertation, Regent University.
Sendjaya, S. (2015). Personal and organizational excellence through servant leadership: Learning to serve, serving to lead, leading to transform. Springer International Publishing.
