Breaking Barriers: Leaders Who Embrace Diverse Perspectives and Service

In the Gospel of John, chapter 13, we read about a remarkable act of humility as Jesus washes the feet of His disciples. As leaders we often identify with Jesus' heart for serving those entrusted to us, desiring to create an atmosphere of love, acceptance, and care. Yet, there are times when we yearn for more, for another portion with Christ. To access this next blessing, sometimes we need to face the challenge of pride, for as James 4:6 reminds us, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." In this article, we will explore the power of vulnerability, dismantling preferences, and embracing the service of any member within the Body of Christ.

In order to access this grace, we need to challenge the preferences that we hold onto in the name of safety. And safety is the barrier of fear sometimes that doesn't open the possibility for the wider spectrum of people to help. Leaders search for leaders, entrepreneurs seek business people to help them. We seek people on the same level but fear makes levels inaccessible for those we are in contact with. It's an invisible wall that becomes noticed when someone tries to approach us and help. Remember that Peter didn't have a problem with those who were sitting with him. He was struggling to receive ministry from someone who was on a different level.

Leaders understand their influence can impact people to the measure people trust their leadership. Trust is being nurtured with genuine transparency and transparency is about allowing people to see into our hearts, lives, ministries, or businesses. But for Peter to access the next thing that was prepared for him, Jesus didn't ask for transparency. The condition of his feet was already obvious to his surroundings. He desired vulnerability. So what's the difference between transparency and vulnerability? Transparency means you allow people to see what you are struggling with, but vulnerability is about allowing them to help you with it. In transparency, they can see you, in vulnerability, they can touch you.

To pass the test of vulnerability and access something new, we need to let go of our selectiveness of who can minister to us. Not just God or someone comfortable from the level where we are at, but any member of the Body of Christ. In this test, we have a decision to make. Whether we will live like an aquarium or an open book with a pen. When we live behind the walls of an aquarium, we will allow people to see our colors and moves and encourage them to share their perspectives and actions. But in this scenario, we won't let them influence our ecosystem. Such connection is about conversation, but not the transportation of good things from one side to another. An alternative is to live like an open book with a pen we make available for others to use on a page of our lives. To make room for Jesus sometimes mean to allow Him to minister to us the way He wants to. To receive Jesus sometimes means to receive from the one He sends. Not just from the one we prefer, but the member He chooses to. To access something new, Jesus will give you an opportunity to break down the walls of fear and self-protection, drawing your comfort and sense of safety from what's familiar and on the same level. Humble yourself. Step down to the level of your brother and sister and you will find yourself on the level of Christ. To partake with Jesus means to embrace the whole Body instead of choosing to despise or suspiciously protect with the wall that serves no side. In the absence of sides, the realization comes we all are on the same board, carrying wisdom, provision, and help for one another.