The Dehydrated Camel

Sub-title – Guideline # 5: A Servant Leader Seeks Spiritual Nourishment

There was once a camel named Abou. He was a diligent and caring fellow. The other camels looked up to him. The master was so happy with his show of leadership; he put Abou at the head of the caravan.

One day the caravan set out across the wide desert for the grandest city in all the land. All the camels were excited to set their hooves on streets that were said to be paved with gold.

The journey was long and hot. The master stopped at the oases that dotted the desert to cool off the caravan. In each oasis Abou ran around doing head camel things. “C’mon herd, drink up! Don’t mind the iguana.” “Master, Jamal’s harness is loose.” “Your load is slipping, my boy.”

He was so busy he only got a sip or two. In one oasis, he even totally forgot to drink. As the sun turned the desert into a furnace, Abou got weaker and weaker. He became so dehydrated, the master decided to leave him in a tiny run-down desert town lest he die along the way.

With tears in his eyes, he watched the caravan disappear into the distant sand dunes. He was too busy to drink from the nourishing waters when he had the chance. Now he will never lay eyes on that glowing city.

***

I wrote this cautionary tale to illustrate Guideline #5 for my Manual for Servant Leaders Who Insanely Love to Serve God Despite Harassments and Frustrations. (Thank you to my son, Buddy, for the cartoon.) It was inspired by something J Yogawin said during our Evangelism Pillar Pastoral Formation last week. J is our Associate Builder for the Wednesday Feast Alabang.

He exhorted us to be committed to our service. But he also said, “You should never be too busy that you miss the opportunity to sit still, listen and learn how to change your life.” We may be present at the Feast but our minds might be on something else.

That broad-sided us like a blow from a shepherd’s rod. It’s true that when we buzz around with this errand and that, we sometimes forget to heed the talks and take them to heart.

This lapse will become evident in the way we live and treat other people. It’s not an inspiring sight when servant leaders live in direct opposition to the teachings that flow abundantly at the Feast. When we do not seek spiritual nourishment our souls wither.

Abou, like Martha in the bible, had a heart for service but he forgot the one thing that will refresh him and bring him out of the desert.

But Martha was distracted with all her preparations… the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary...” – Luke 10:40-42

Planking Biblical-style

No, I’m not talking about the “Lying Down Game” which is the current rage today of people lying face down as stiff as a wooden plank. It’s also not the political planking recently used in a protest action that caused one lawmaker to file the “Anti-Planking Act of 2011.”

I’m talking about planking in the bible. Specifically in Matthew 7:3 –

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”

It’s a more dangerous kind of game. The kind that blots souls and destroys relationships.

Planking in the bible is about always seeing the negative in other people. Overly-critical people constantly point out what is wrong with others instead of appreciating what is right. Funny thing is these critics aren’t flawless in the first place. And let me say that at times, I too am guilty of this – either by my own instigation or I get roped into the critique (oo nga, oo nga). [Note to self: avoid planking – dangerous to your health.]

Just last night I witnessed two incidents of planking – both in the biblical sense. One was directed at me as emcee of the Roots seminar for doing something taught in an emceeing workshop (ranting? – hehehe). The other was directed at our guest worship leader just because her worship was slightly different from ours.

The second planking reminded me of our recent Inter-Feast Music Ministry Gathering*. Among other things, George Gabriel talked about pride – the pitfall that music ministers should avoid. He said that many times we think that the way we do things in our community or in our particular Feast is better than the way others do it. That kind of thinking causes disunity and has no place in a Christian community.

Let me end by focusing on the positive instead. I praise and thank the Lord for my blessings - the compliments and kind words I received last night from many other people not into the biblical game of planking.

* Allow me to add a footnote about the Inter-Feast Music Ministry Gathering held on September 21, 2011 at the Makati Feast venue. I will describe it in one word: AWESOME. Just imagine around 350 music ministers singing and dancing in praise of our awesome God. What touched me the most was the simple worship – just George and Gigi de Jesus with a guitar onstage. It could have been grandiose what with all the Music Ministries from different Feasts present. But as George quoted Arun, “Worship is when there is nothing else.” No frills, no artistry…just you and God.

*Thanks to Emy Cañete for the Inter Feast Music photo.

Siomai Love in Simple Service

“The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore do and observe whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice…All their works are performed to be seen…They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues…” – Matthew 23:2-6

The scribes and Pharisees had a hey-world-look-at-the good-I-do-and-honor-me kind of service. It must have really annoyed Jesus. Just look at his rant in the verses I quoted. But instead of writing about what not to do (the passage cited very clear examples already) let me tell you instead about love and service that create miracles of friendship and camaraderie.

You know that saying, “Big things come in small packages”? How about “Great service is shown in simple acts”? I just coined the second one so it's probably unfamiliar.

Although I just made it up, it’s based on real blessings our Media Ministry experienced the first two Saturdays of this month. We were served with great love by a sister in our community, the mother of two of my members.

On the first Saturday, we planned what was dubbed by the FAMMily (Feast Alabang Media Ministry family) as a meeouting, a meeting/outing (we’re writers, we like making up words) to a nearby resort. Plans were scrapped at the last minute due to bad weather.

Ellen volunteered to prepare our lunch. She cooked food good for an army when there were just 9 of us. We changed our venue to the Feast Alabang Center so she also wanted to feed the other ministries meeting there. That selfless deed was enough to create miracles. The buffet blessed many that day not just with overfilled stomachs but with friendships simmered to full flavor over pans and pans and pans of good food.

On the second Saturday, we organized a Creative Videography workshop. We didn’t plan on serving snacks because the fee was slashed by more than half. She came to the rescue again with her delicious siomai (dumplings) that was more than enough to feed the hungry participants and members.

Her service was done to make others happy. It is not the kind that seeks recognition. It is not the kind that seeks a place of honor – up there in front where everybody can see. It is not the kind that elbows out others just to shine. It is a simple act that served others greatly.

I appreciated her support so much I just couldn’t resist using the word play for my title. I hopia like it.

Stand in the Gap

Sub-title – Guideline # 4: A Servant Leader Protects His People

I’m writing again for my “Manual for Servant Leaders Who Insanely Love to Serve God Despite Harassments and Frustrations.” (If I keep repeating that title it just might stick:))

It has taken me quite some time to write Guideline #4. Maybe because this is one of the hardest things a servant leader must do for his people – stand in the gap. Protect those the Lord has given you to shepherd.

There might be times when someone bypasses you as head and takes your members to task for something they did. There might be times when your group’s wellbeing or interest is compromised. There might be times when a given policy is inimical to them.

These are just a few instances a servant leader must step up to defend his sheep.

It’s so much easier to take the pacifist stance and say, “The Lord will take care of them. Let’s just exercise the virtue of patience.” And off you go to float in your cloud, tinkle a few notes on your harp and twirl your halo.

But remember the bracelet that was very popular among young people a few years back that had these letters, WWJD? (As a matter of fact, teen-agers desired it so much, one or two shoplifted bracelets from our store. They didn’t know the letters stood for “What Would Jesus Do?”)

I asked myself that question, “What would Jesus do in a situation where my member’s welfare is at stake?” I found my answer in the bible:

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” - John 10:11

Jesus will not allow the wolf to decimate his flock. I can picture Him standing between the wolf and us, his flock, holding a shepherd’s rod for protection.

When you stand your ground it sends a signal both ways to your flock (behind) and to the wolf (in front):

1. You will protect your flock. You are there to provide a strong defense.

2. You will not tolerate the wolf’s infraction. He may huff and he may puff but you will not be intimidated.

But also keep in mind that the wolf is also God’s creature and is probably just experiencing memory lapses about that wonderful fact. The wolf might not even be a real one but a sheep in wolf’s clothing who is suffering an identity crisis. The wolf too must be dealt with love. There is no need to fight back or return each huff he hurls.

Calmly stand your ground and let the wolf know he will not be allowed to harm your sheep. It’s the kind of tough love that will not let him self-destruct because he forgets to treat others with kindness.

Actually this course of action requires more love and patience than the pacifist stance I previously mentioned. You will also need a strong will to hold back tongue and temper. But the end result will be good for everyone: the sheep get the protection they need, the wolf gets a lesson in character formation or given an enlightening moment and the shepherd gets to exercise his diplomatic skills.

So here’s Guideline #4 in a nutshell: “Practice tough love with the wolf to protect your sheep.”

Pruning the Dream

I just love beautiful and unusual gardens. When we travel to foreign countries, I make sure famous gardens are included in our itinerary. I fondly remember some of them – Huntington in California, Botanic Gardens in Singapore, my favorite Cockington Green with its miniature buildings and gardens in Canberra.

I marvel at the exquisite scenery created by beautiful blooms and well-shaped topiaries. Ironically, I have a brown thumb and I’ve killed every plant I’ve tried to take care of. Good thing my mother has a green thumb so I still get to enjoy looking out to a lush garden with several fruit bearing trees while savoring my meals.

In yesterday’s talk at the Feast, “Increase Harvests” of the current series The Force, I was reminded that the gardens I love to look at didn’t just happen. There were gardeners who watered, fertilized and most especially pruned the plants into the beautiful, bountiful things that they are.

I mentioned pruning in particular because this is key to the abundant harvest and artful shapes. Imagine topiary with wayward branches – not a pretty sight. Or a tree with overcrowded leaves that block life-giving sunlight. Without the sun and room to grow, it can’t bear that many fruits.

So pruning is important if we want beauty and abundance. It’s the same with our life. Our Divine Gardener takes away the things that are bad for us or that distract us from becoming the best we can be.

When I heard the talk, I recalled a Caring Group friend’s situation. She had asked me for advice about her career shift. Having her own business had been her heart’s desire for quite some time but she couldn’t let go of her employment because it paid her bills.

So the dream remained just that – a dream. Until something happened that forced her to quit her job. More than that, avenues for her to seek another employment were closed.

The first thing that flashed in my mind was that the Lord was leaving only one door open for her. This was the door to the dream she had been praying for. Today, by God’s grace, she has just opened her own business.

Sometimes, when we can’t do it for ourselves the Lord steps in to prune the things that are keeping us from bearing abundant fruit.

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 ;)

Focus on the Heart

My God is a sneaky one. There are times when I’m so pre-occupied with a million and one tasks I forget that one thing He has called me to do – write. You know what He does? He sends me experiences so moving that my insides will burst like popcorn if I don’t write about them. The incidents range from the spiritually sublime to the downright infuriating.

This week, He did it again. He prodded me to write Guideline #2 for my “Manual for Servant Leaders Who Insanely Love to Serve God Despite Harassments and Frustrations” (working title). I’m kidding. Scrap the word “prodded”. "Tasered" describes the experience better. The struggle to keep the peace and my cool, to continue loving my siblings in Christ and at the same time nurture those the Lord has given me to shepherd was so unnerving I couldn’t sleep for two nights.

Upon reflection, the Lord once again impressed on me that He allows these things to happen for a reason. The fruit of this experience was a rich harvest of lessons learned. And so I have Guideline #2: Focus on the heart of the servant. When a servant leader is faced with what he or she perceives to be imperfections – even in other ministry’s affairs – (be it a wrong color, sub-standard design, conflicting schedules, erroneous sentence construction, noise, mess, character flaws, etc., etc.) look to the heart of the servant. If there is goodness of intention, zeal and passion to serve present there then everything else becomes a minor, minor thing.

Yes, correction is needed if there is cause. From the book “The Way of the Shepherd”, a gift from a loving sister in my community, I read pain must sometimes be inflicted (perhaps in the form of “reprimands or poor performance reviews”). In Chapter 3, “Help Your Sheep Identify With You”, the story was told about a ewe whose ear had to be tagged to identify it as belonging to a flock. The shepherd had to hold the ewe tight to tag it. Later, the shepherd held the ewe again but this time to comfort it. Both times, the sheep was held close – the “first to cause pain” and the next “to offer encouragement”. The lesson given was “for great leaders, leadership isn’t just professional; it’s personal.”

Taking that lesson out of the corporate world and applying it to community service, I will rephrase that as: for servant leaders, leadership is less professional; it’s more personal. I remember this line from a mass song: “I will hold Your people in my heart.”

Another thought flashed in my head as I prayed about the situation: focus on the heart of the servant to keep it from being broken irreparably. Handle it carefully like fragile china. Undue criticism could after all dampen the spirit of a volunteer. Let me stress this vital point: community servants are volunteers. Their only compensation is love.

The calm slowly creeping inside me as I write this is proof positive that the Lord tasered me just to get this guideline recorded. And so I pray that the next guideline He sends will descend upon me from a serene cloud of wisdom. My servant leader’s heart is fragile too.