VII) LIFTING THE LIVES OF OTHERS

John 4:4-30

Great leaders seek to lift others up. Jesus chose to go through a region that most self-respecting Jews avoided. There is a sense that Jesus knew what was ahead and that there was one women whom He could help. The fact that she came to the well at the sixth hour (noon) to draw water, and that she came alone suggests that she was something of a social outcast. This was probably due to the fact that she had had five husbands and was currently with a man who was not her husband.

Still, Jesus chose to take this route, to stop at this well, and to talk to this woman. He gave her the privilege of hearing the good news of the "living water" that He offered. He also gave her, a social outcast of dubious moral history, the honor of announcing the arrival of the Messiah.

She went to the town declaring the works of Jesus and asking rhetorically, “Is this not the Messiah?” Then she brought the city to Jesus. Jesus certainly lifted her up in the eyes of the town's folk and gave her dignity.

Great leaders are able to identify potential in people who may not even be able to see it in themselves yet. Great leaders invest time and training in people so that they may grow and become better people, workers, volunteers, etc.

Leaders never become great by putting others down. The failure of others does nothing to make us better. Our goal is to lift others up, to help them stand. If we make it our business to lift others up, and to create a climate within the organization where the potential leaders we are mentoring are lifting others up, the entire organization gets a lift.

Jesus lifted people out of sin, out of sickness, out of social distain, and into the kingdom and family of the Father. This is mark of a great leader and it is a quality that breeds loyalty and respect on the part of those we lead. Look for ways to lift others and in the process you too will be lifted to a higher level as a leader.

Check out my recently published book, The Third Level