A Memory Loss

So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “What I told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you in condemnation…” – John 8:25-26

Sometimes we experience temporary memory loss at the most embarrassing times. You meet a person you know and when you attempt to introduce this person to your companion, you draw a mental blank. You absolutely cannot remember his or her name and you cannot do the unthinkable and ask, “Who are you?”

This happened to me a couple of times. The most embarrassing was when I remembered the name of the person I met on the street and forgot the name of my companion. I had to endure the embarrassment longer as we were taking the ride home together.

Physical memory loss, at most, is just embarrassing. Spiritual memory loss is tragic as you lose more than just your “face”. What causes spiritual memory loss? I’d say pride does.

Let me tell you 2 stories to illustrate my point:

• My Papa had a town mate who knew him quite well. She even used to call him kuya. Papa was a friend of her sibling. She migrated to the U.S.A. and made it big there. When Papa introduced himself to her when they saw each other again in the States, she said, “Who are you? Do I know you?”

• I have a friend who used to be thoughtful and nice. As he rose in stature, he seemed to have experienced a severe memory loss about how he got to where he was and the other people who made a mark before him. Now I want to throttle him until the bad spirits depart and ask him, “Who are you and what have you done to my friend?”

There are times when we act like the Pharisees, like we do not know Jesus at all. We fail to recognize His hand in the good fortune that comes our way. We forget that all the success and blessings in our lives came from Him. Let us always remember who Jesus is and live like Him so that when we meet Him at the pearly gates He will not ask, “Who are you? Do I know you?”

A Servant Leader’s Survival Kit

Sub-title – Guideline #3: A Servant Leader’s Heart is Humble.

I thank God the inspiration He sent for this blog was a gentle whisper of a thought instead of another jarring experience. He heard the prayer I uttered at the end of my last blog. But without a background story I was in danger of moralizing. I will then be the first to break this principle I am to write.

I became more hesitant when I read this passage in Companion during my prayer time last Monday, June 20, 2011:

“Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. “ – Matthew 7:1-2

Then I remembered the cheesy survival kits we used to assemble and sell in our now deceased gift shop (May it rest in peace). I decided to put one together instead for me, myself and Mirella. I need to check this periodically like the list used for car maintenance. So here are the things I need for MY leadership to survive the test of humility:

1. Shades – to shield my eyes from the blinding klieg lights when I serve onstage (literally and figuratively) and I take credit for far more than I deserve. To be able to “see the people in the audience”. (I must not forget those who have laid the foundation of commitment before me or who have labored to build the community/ministry with me.) To keep my eyes clearly focused on the only star of the show – Jesus.

2. Sharp pin – to prick my ego for those times I sinfully enjoy having my name bannered in big bold fonts. To deflate me and make me pliant enough to emulate a leader who once gave me the directive to feature another leader’s name instead of his when space is lacking.

3. Disposable cup – to remind me a servant leader is but God’s vessel. For times when I’m feeling on top of the heap and begin to think I’m the only useful person around. May I not forget that God can raise others to take my place when I no longer serve humbly. Maybe I’ll print a caricature of King Saul and David on the side just to drive home the point.

4. “My Way” CD – to crush/break/shatter when this song starts to be my national anthem, when I’m putting my interests above the good of the community and when I start throwing my weight around. I must remember many people have been killed over this song in our videoke-crazy country. I need to be vigilant so that my soul will not be included in the casualty count.

5. Baby leash – to wear when I start to put my nose in other people’s business because I’ve deluded myself into thinking I know better. I will ask Papa God to hold the reins so that He can pull me back when I’m straying to where I’m not supposed to go.

6. Correction fluid – to blot out memories of the time, treasure and talent I have given in service lest they become a source of pride.

This is a standard I’m setting for myself. Please bop me on the head with this hammer

when I forget to use the items in my kit. It will not hurt (as gentle reminders don’t) but it will certainly get my attention. Again, this is my measure but other servant leaders are welcome to use it for their humility check ;)