“The only miracle, except for the resurrection, that is recorded in the four gospels is Jesus’ multiplying of the loaves and fishes. Why? The truths contained there are so vast and far-reaching. In Jesus’ mentoring of the Twelve, he returns to it multiple times to teach them about mature leadership.

‘Why are you talking about having no bread?
Do you not see or understand?
Are your hearts hardened?’
Jesus in Mark 8:17

MATURE LEADERSHIP

• …redefines abundance as the presence of Jesus Himself.
• …sees beneath other’s anxiety and fear to the deeper work God is doing in and around them.
• …responds to the situation according to his values and beliefs (integrity).
• …courageously does what is best for everyone despite other’s lack of support and validation.
• …invites others to combine their ‘loaves’ and thankfully offers them to the Father.
• …creates specific steps to make an overwhelming task manageable by effectively breaking down the problem.
• …models flexible (not rigid) balance of rest and service to others to do good when the need arises.

IMMATURE LEADERSHIP…

• …defines abundance by considering only visible resources.
• …gets entangled in other’s anxiety, fear or negativity.
• …responds to the pressure of others and accommodates them.
• …takes an easy path in an attempt to keep everyone ‘happy.’
• …leaves people alone and isolated in their fears, limits and discouragement.
• …grumbles, blames or ignores the problem because of feeling overwhelmed.
• …becomes so rigid it results in losing compassion.

Moving From the Head to the Heart

• Are you practicing a rhythm of “rest and service” like Jesus did? If not, what does that say about you?
• What are you doing to keep compassion at the heart of your ministry, to keep it more central than anything else?
• What might be the miracle waiting to happen should you focus on what you have, rather than on what you don’t? (Scazzero)

Abba, keep me from ministering with an unbelieving heart that misses how abundant the resources are in your hands, that settles for the reasonable, that misses out on the miracle.

For More: The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Pete Scazzero