In Matthew 28:20, Jesus left his disciples with a final word of assurance: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” His final remarks before ascension are reminiscent of the words describing his name at birth: “they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’).” The author of this Gospel concluded his narrative the same way he had started. God wants to be with us. Leaders are with their people. They don’t speak “down to” from above, rather, they come down to be “with.” When Jesus ascended, he was still with his disciples, just one short prayer away. He wasn’t abdicating leadership responsibility; he was empowering his protégés to move forward by not being physically present. Remaining with them ultimately would have hindered the mission and prevented the disciples from fully embracing their calling. Serve your mission by developing leaders who will multiply its impact. Then get out of the way and make yourself available only upon request.​

Lead, love, and serve, like Jesus!

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KEY QUESTIONS: Who needs me to empower and release them? Is there anyone I’m currently hindering by not getting out of the way? How can I be “with” those who are no longer physically present?