About two months ago the Norwegian Prime Minister went out to the streets and drove around the Capital city Oslo for hours as a Taxi driver, in order to be able to understand the minds of his people. One can say that he spent time listening to the heart of his people.
I am sure you would agree with me that this is probably unprecedented. Let’s be reminded that Norway is a kingdom and thus, the PM is actually like the President, like in the UK.
It is written: Know well the condition of your flock, and pay attention to your herds (Pr. 27:23).
This PM has put this verse into practice. Nowadays, politicians and all sorts of leaders tend to safely stay in their ivory towers, far from the concerns of their voters. They are surrounded by advisors who do not often tell them the truth about the real state of the country. In general, these leaders don’t even know it themselves, since they are too busy doing other things and stuffing their pockets while it all lasts. Consequently, they make unfruitful decisions or, worse, decisions which are contrary to the best interests or their voters. Know well the condition of your flock.
Churches are no exception. In many of them, there is a world between the pastor and the members. Many pastors do not visit their flocks – there is a dedicated team set-up for this purpose. In some cases, their members do not know their pastor’s home address; and when they do, they will not even dare going there because they may never even be received.
Pay attention to your herds. In serving His own, even in tasks as servile as washing people’s feet, Jesus showed that the way to greatness is through service. Indeed, washing the feet was the duty of the doulos, the lowest among the slaves. Imagine the state of feet in those days. People used to trek, in the desert, with just some little leather sandals. The rich had donkeys or camels. It seems as though Jesus only used a donkey once, to enter in Jerusalem (Mat 21). Most of the time, Jesus’ feet and those of His disciples, must have been very ugly and dirty. One of my daughters loves taking care of my feet; but as for the other, it is a completely different story. You need to see her when I ask her exceptionally to remove nail polish from my toe nails. She just doesn’t like peoples’ feet. It is even one of the first things that she looks on people; and she can be very critical on her criteria regarding beautiful feet. If my feet were muddy and I, her mother, was to ask her to wash them for me, she would not touch them; or, may finally do it in tears after may be an hour of serious pressure.. Yet, Jesus did not hesitate to wash, anoint, perfume and dry (perhaps, even massage as well) 12 pairs of such feet: 24 little horrors before dinner!
The way to greatness is through service. Today, those who are exalted – in the world or in church – think this means that their greatness will be measured by the manner and extent to which others are going to serve them; and not by the manner THEY will serve others.
The way to greatness is through service and humility goes before glory and elevation. There are upcoming elections in September in Norway, and I will not be surprised to see that his party has won, and that after struggling in the poll, Jens Stoltenberg, the PM is sworn in again for another term.
We are all leaders to some extent; and those who are not yet, aspire to become one. I pray that the examples of the LORD and of the Norwegian Prime Minister inspire us all. Have a great week in CHRIST JESUS and serve people. Know your sheep very well and pay attention to your herds. GOD bless you.
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