SERVANT-HEARTED LEADERS by pa s tor chuck swind oll
sther sustained a continually teachable that. But let me ask, has that changed your spirit. “Mordecai had instructed her teachability? Do you now see yourself as the that she should not make them known... consummate authority? Or has it simply Esther had not yet made known her kin- made you aware of how vast your ignorance dred or her people, even as Mordecai had really is? I hope it is the latter. Someone has said, “Education is going commanded her, for Esther did what Mordecai told her as she had done when under from an unconscious to conscious awareness of one’s ignorance.” his care” (Esther 2:10, 20). How beautiful it is to I agree. No one has a corEven becoming a finalist in this frenzied competi- find a servant-hearted, ner on wisdom. All the in the tion, or later, becoming teachable spirit among name-dropping world doesn’t heighten queen, didn’t cause Esther those who occupy the significance of your to flaunt her independence high-profile positions character. If anything, it and strut her stuff. Not this reduces it. Our acute need lady! The lovely, dignified, of authority. is to cultivate a willingness wise woman was still willto learn and to remain teachable. Learning ing to listen and learn. She remains a sterling example for from your children. Learning from your women today. Some of you are wonder- friends. Learning even from our enemies. fully gifted teachers. You have the ability How beautiful it is to find a servant-hearted, to stand before a group and to open the teachable spirit among those who occupy Scriptures or some other area of expertise high-profile positions of authority. Are you, like Esther, still willing to listen and hold an audience in rapt attention with your insight and creativity. Others of and learn? you have distinguished yourself in public service. You have played prestigious roles Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, Great Days with the and offices in the community. You may be Great Lives: Daily Insight from Great Lives of the well-traveled and rather confidently move Bible (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2005) 196. Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All in exclusive circles with powerful men and rights reserved. Used by permission. women whom you know on a first-name basis. There is nothing wrong with any of
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