1 Peter 5 - Mentoring and Servant Leadership
We are encouraged in this final chapter of Peter to have an eternal perspective and to prioritize relationships. That is all that will matter when we enter palliative care, nay, when we meet Jesus.
I am thinking this morning how proud I am of my daughter, my sons, and my grandsons. I know how much God loves you and that He has great plans for you. Keep working hard and trust God. I do not know the future, but I do know the goodness of God. He will never fail us. I pray that you will trust God more and more and that you are full of joy as you see God increasing His Kingdom and presenting you with opportunities to serve and honor Him.
Peter mentions Silas and Mark in this passage. Peter's sons in faith. Indeed, Peter is mentoring us through these ancient words, but in his lifetime he mentored many others - just as Jesus commanded him to do. Peter, mentored by the King was taught by sight, by miracle, and by grace how to become a great disciple-maker and the church's leader.
Peter exudes humility. He doesn’t call himself a pope, but rather an apostle of Jesus Christ and a fellow elder. He was a humble servant leader of the sheep. I have no doubt that Peter mentored well. We know a little of Mark via the Gospel that he wrote, but we know little (or at least I know little) of Silas. When the Great Shepherd appears (when we all receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor) we will know all of their stories - and they of ours.
We can (and should) read books on leadership and mentoring. But look at the brevity of Peter’s instructions here. Let's not be worldly fools more interested in knowing than doing. The divide between worldly accolades and godly wisdom is more and more apparent. We see that in our so-called leaders today.
We must ensure that we are coachable and that we are being coached. As Peter says here we are to accept the authority of godly leaders (never acquiesce to evil leaders). And we are to all (no matter our stage or position) serve each other in humility. For God opposes the proud.
I offer up this. If you don’t know what do to for a mentor then ask the Holy Spirit to bring a mentor into your life. And as you wait ask the Holy Spirit to mentor you and to show you the example of others who can mentor you by their lives. Read biographies and books written by sinners saved by God. Let Lewis and Churchill and other saints mentor you with their struggles and their victories in Christ. Oppose those who lord their authority over others, but err on the side of grace and let our actions and our identity in Christ be what defines us. Let’s lead well right where God has us.
And make sure we are taking Peter’s words here to heart. Here’s what he says, “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly - not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example” (4:2-3). We lead by example. We don’t need a commission from the Government to tell us who our flock is. We can look around and see whom God has placed in our lives to serve. Serve them well today. It's a great day. Let's be eager to serve God. Mentor well. Fill others with encouragement, not doom and gloom.
Peter calls us his family in Christ. What an honor. Thank you Jesus that You have called us to your family and made us brothers and sisters through your way of faith. And thank you Lord God for entrusting us with all of the relationships in our lives. First, there is you, Lord Jesus, we love you completely. You know everything about us and you still call us your own.
Then there is our family - immediate and extended. Help us willingly serve and love them today and help us be anxious about nothing but to please and serve you, Lord God.
In our relationships with our community members, workmates, and countrymen, please give us wisdom and help us to extend grace as you Jesus extend it to us.
Help us serve, speak, and act in every way with gentleness, kindness, and humility today. Amen.
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