Pastor Joynt's Devotionals

Leading With People in Your Heart: Day 7

LUKE 9:46-56

Leading like Jesus means giving people the freedom to fail. When we are afraid to fail, we are often afraid to try and nearly always afraid to undertake anything risky or uncertain. Since we all do fail, unless those around us are gracious and forgiving, we will be haunted by guilt and crippled by regret.

Jesus held his disciples accountable, but also forgave their selfishness, slowness, fearlessness, ethnocentrism, pride, and lack of faith. Leaders can change the way others relate to their pasts. Previous errors become occasions of grace, moments of learning, and springboards into the future.

Do you give others the freedom to fail?

How often do you say “I told you so!”?

How often do you say “I forgive you!”?

What things did Jesus have to correct and forgive in our passage?

Leading With People in Your Heart: Day 6

LUKE 11:46
GALATIANS 6:2

Understanding others through exercising your moral imagination should lead to greater empathy with their struggles. One characteristic of Jesus’ leadership was empathy. He felt for the isolated tax collectors, the notorious prostitutes, the crippled beggars, and the broken people. Really seeing other people as Jesus did means identifying emotionally with their addictions, their besetting weaknesses, and even their petty foibles. Later in the series, we’ll emphasize the honest confrontation real relationships require, but a key part of those friendships must be empathy.

Pray today for a heart that resonates with others’ feelings.

Call or write or text someone who needs you to identify with them.