By Dean Collins
One leadership lesson that can change the way you approach your job is remembering this: You’re not all that! If you are the founder of a business, organization, or ministry, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking you are the only one who can do the job, deal with the customer, or solve the crisis. Before you realize it, this attitude of self-importance can spill over into your other relationships.
Romans 12 opens with Paul’s appeal for every believer to offer themselves completely to God. As the Holy Spirit continues to transform our hearts and minds, we become better equipped to resist the many ways our culture attempts to shape us. Paul tells us that when we are transformed by God rather than conformed to the world, we can discern God’s will for our lives.
One aspect of God’s will for all of us is found in verses 3–8. Paul tells us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought, but instead to have a clear perspective of our identity in Christ and our place in His kingdom. In several of his letters, Paul reminds believers that each of us has a role in the body of Christ and that no one is more important than another.
My worth is not based on my talent. Rather, it is rooted in the fact that I am created in God’s image and have been given talents and spiritual gifts to use in the body of Christ so that He might be made known through me. Paul spells it out for us:
“So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” (Romans 12:5–6, ESV)
Paul goes on to describe how those gifts are to be used: in serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, and showing mercy.
When we realize that it isn’t about us and that none of us is responsible for doing everything or controlling everything, we are right where God wants us to be. We don’t need a celebrity leader to accomplish God’s will.
In Acts 2:42–47, we see that while the apostles were used by God to preach the gospel and perform remarkable signs, the life of the early church was also marked by the generosity and shared commitment of those who had been transformed by the gospel. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They shared what they had and worked together to meet one another’s needs.
Knowing that God has placed us in a community of believers to accomplish His purposes frees us from thinking that everything depends on us. When I realize I am not the most important person in the room, I create space for others to step in and contribute. Together, we can work toward God’s purposes rather than pursuing our own, which can so easily become inflated by our sense of self-importance.
Father, thank You for reminding us that our calling is to surrender ourselves to You so that You can use us in Your kingdom to accomplish Your purposes in and through us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Romans 12:1-8; Acts 2:42-47 ESV
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