[My Wednesday blogpost series is connected to my 2020 4Q program in which I share my personal responses to the questions raised in the worksheets.] 

Ken Blanchard has said that: “You finally become an adult when you realize you’re here to serve, and not be served.” Imagine for a moment the instincts of each of Jesus' disciples and the natural inclinations of all of us. Peter says, “I am the oldest, I have seniority.” Andrew responds, “But who brought you to Jesus in the first place? I was the first one here…therefore I should be first in authority!” “Wait a second,” jumps in John, “I have connections to the high priest, man…you need your top dog to be ‘connected’ in order to have the greatest influence.” And finally, Judas kicks in with, “Gentlemen, you need someone with business and financial sense…I’m the treasurer and therefore number one in this gig!”

Jesus’ response? Washing feet. Picking up a towel rather than assuming his title as Master. In fact, he got down and washed his disciples’ feet—something only a slave would have done in that day (see John 13:1-17). It was a lesson I’m sure the disciples never forgot. 

List some practical ways a serving leader could “wash others’ feet”: 

I remember discussing this issue while traveling with a pastor and his wife one day. In our Christian tradition we had all grown up “washing feet” during times of communion—a symbolic gesture to remind us of Christ’s servanthood. But how could we take it from symbol to practice in everyday life? The pastor’s wife told me that for her it meant cleaning toilets and scrubbing floors for the women in her church in their final months of pregnancy. What a brilliant application of truth! It made an indelible impression on me as you will discover. 

So what have I done personally to apply this concept of servanthood? It now includes cleaning toilets and scrubbing floors in our home—though not as often as I should, I must confess. It means holding doors open for people, offering my help with menial tasks at public events that in the past I had considered “below me,” and generally developing my awareness of others and looking for small ways to serve and bless them.

Sometimes it actually includes the literal washing of people’s feet. One of the practices during our Reverb Network leadership development programs is to wash the feet of the leaders we train—always a deeply touching and emotional service that connects us at greater heart level and provides a graphic example to follow.

Now it’s your turn. How might you “wash the feet” of those in your family, community, business, or organization? Go ahead, write something down…you are a serving leader!