I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 
Philippians 2:19-21

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I always want to say I’m more of a follower than a leader, but the truth is, you and I are leaders if another person has ever listened to our advice, followed our ideas, or if we have stood up for someone wronged. 

As we continue in our series, Prayers for the Next President and consider various leadership qualities, I will give you a quick example of not such outstanding leadership. At the time, my seven-year-old granddaughter had her four-year-old sister follow her up the attic stairs at her parents’ office building. My older granddaughter looked at the puffy pink stuff all over the floor in the attic, took a giant step, and went through the ceiling to the first floor. The younger granddaughter clearly didn’t want to follow the older one’s lead—through the floor—and watched her fall but didn’t step out. Miraculously, no one was hurt.

As Christians, it is important that we follow wise leaders.

As we look at today’s passage, we notice Paul sharing with the Church at Philippi his protégé Timothy’s resume. Paul tells this church that he is indeed a servant-leader. I can just imagine Timothy asking, “In what ways can I help your church spread the gospel?”

You may know that Paul had many co-workers helping him in his work, but he called Timothy his “son” (Philippians 2:22 ) and wrote a pastoral letter to him. Speaking to Tim, Paul says these words near and dear to a teenager’s heart. 

And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity (1 Timothy 4:12 MSG).

Indeed, they had a special relationship. Paul implores us (and was an example for us) to ‘humbly value others above ourselves.’ When we learn, teach, and love deeper with Christ-like integrity, we are able to encourage others to do the same—like Paul with Timothy. Ultimately, Paul’s recognition of Timothy is the outpouring of his understanding of the greatest servant leader of all time, Jesus Christ.

We were at our now 13-year-old granddaughter’s presentation on communism last year; knowing that I was her grandma, the principal came up and said to only me, “Mark my words, that girl will be president one day.”

I smiled, nodding, remembering the ceiling and all the leadership skills that she has since developed, and said, “Yep, I think you’re right.”

Next Steps

Try to set aside some time to meditate on Philippians 2. Take note of what God reveals to you. Close your time with God by praying for our servant leaders and volunteers at Willow.