A True Servant Leader

Leadership in the world is very different than leadership in God’s domain. You don’t have to listen to the news very long or watch many corporate leaders to learn that leaders are often selfish and arrogant as they clamor to reach the top. That is entirely different from the way Jesus portrayed leadership, where the leader is the one who serves rather than seeks to be served. Today, I am going to share about a servant leader I had the opportunity to work with and how she taught me some lessons on leadership, not by what she said but by how she acted. I hope you’ll join me. 

We weren’t close as I knew her in our professional capacities; she in her role as an emergency responder, and I in my role as the city’s liaison to public safety. But I knew her well enough to be impressed by her knowledge, professionalism, and deep passion for her work. Clearly, she cared deeply for the people she served, both as a medical professional and as a leader in the industry. She had plans to retire at the end of this year, but that will never happen because, as so many do, her life ended abruptly a few weeks ago. 

We never discussed faith and her belief in God, but we didn’t have to. It was evident in her caring for others and her commitment to her community. She took the commandment to love our neighbors to a new level, and the words, stories, and songs shared at her celebration of life were subtle but clear. She believed, and she knew where she was going. She didn’t have to share the Word of God with the people she met; she showed them His love by her actions. The songs she chose to share at her service had Christ’s love woven into the lyrics. I loved how one piece, I Hope You Dance, requests the listeners to live life fully but to be sure to give faith a chance. 

I talk a lot about living our faith in our daily lives, and Kandace Kritz, our local ambulance service director, did just that. Her love for others was unselfish, and she demonstrated selfless devotion to the people she served–day in and day out. Decades ago, as a young single mother, she found her passion was being an emergency responder. She invested years in gaining the knowledge and skills needed to work in the field and be a leader in the industry. The respect she earned across our small state was evident by the law enforcement, medical, and safety personnel that traveled far and near to pay their last respects to a woman who committed her life to care for others. 

Like the heroine in the book of Esther, Kandace did what God asked her to do to protect her people without broadcasting her allegiance to God. She just quietly went about her work and served her people. I do not doubt that hundreds of people saw the face of God as this dedicated leader sat by their gurney and held their hand, assuring them that it would be ok. I never got the chance to ask if she prayed for them as she worked to stabilize them and held their hand, but I am pretty sure she did. 

In Luke 22:25-26, Jesus says, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.”

Kandace truly was a servant leader and an excellent example of living our more by our actions. She did so by being kind and doing what she was called to do without waiving a banner of faith or quoting Scripture. She did so by being fully present in people’s lives and making them feel valued. 

You see, we all have our God-given purpose, and we all have our talents and skills to use to show His love. My calling is different than yours, and yours is different than Kandaces. And together, if we are courageous enough to do what He asks us to do, others will know Him and will feel His presence by our presence.  

As I pondered how we could share our faith without words, God gave me a message I needed to hear. As I look back on my former career, I’ve been hard on myself for not being more outspoken about my faith, holding back to appear professional, and being careful not to offend anyone. But as I mulled over how Kandace lived her faith, I realized that, like her, I lived my faith, just not as vocally as I do in this season of my life. Back then, though my purpose was the same, how God asked me to fulfill it was different than it is now. My call to show His love was like anyone who calls Him Lord, but our method varies from person to person, time to time, and season to season. Sometimes we do so with words, other times with actions. But always with kindness, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. 

I know, that is easier to say than do sometimes, isn’t it? But the beautiful thing is that if we listen to God and live in His will, He equips us with everything we need to fulfill our purpose precisely the way He needs us to when He needs us to. 

How are you being called to be a servant leader today? Just remember, it probably won’t look like it does by the world’s standards. God will show you what you need to do to be equipped for your purpose, so listen and be prepared to take the steps He asks you to take. The journey may or may not surprise you, but it will bless you either way. 

If your life has been touched by a servant leader lately, thank them for their service. If you know someone who needs to read this message, please share it with them along with a word of encouragement to continue their journey. Until next time when we will talk about the purpose of connection, go, be blessed, and always live your more!

Prefer to listen? Here is the episode in audio.