Leading from “Like”

 I guess it is no huge surprise that as Americans we are driven by consumer impulses. You know this. We like choices. We NEED choices. The next time you are at the grocery store take a moment and check out the varieties of options just in the cereal aisle. Every imaginable combination of “like” is there!

We are very committed to what we like. The same is true for what we do not like. This clear distinction between likes and dislikes has settled into our hearts and minds and can effect who, where, and how we serve.

I refer to this approach as “leading from like.”

Leading from like tends to avoid the unpleasant (even if it might benefit us in the long run). Rarely does it lead us to approach something from a different point of view or challenge us to “walk in someone else’s shoes.” It can insulate us from the pain or the struggle of others…and I believe we are lesser for it.

As you read this know that I am talking to the guy in my mirror…he is guilty of this A LOT.

The “remedy” to this approach?

Love.

In 1 Samuel chapter 18 it tells of the friendship of David and Jonathan. In verse 1 it tells us that Jonathan loved David as himself. Because Jonathan loved David, he prepared him for battle by giving him his own tunic, his own sword, his own bow, and his own belt.

Verse 5 tells us that whatever mission David was dispatched to was successful.

Why was he successful?

Friendship.

David had a friend who waded into the mess of his life and equipped him with the tools that he needed.

In short, Jonathan “led from love.”

I had a pastor friend that I passed in the church hall one day. He looked terrible. So bad in fact that I stopped him to ask him if he was ok. He sighed and said, “It’s no big deal, Tony, it’s just been a bad morning.” Then he related to me that his day was going to improve. When I inquired how he could change a bad day into a good day, he said that he was on his way to visit shut-in church members.

I could not think of anything I would personally like to do less.

Did you catch that? LIKE less.

My pastor friend was “leading from love” and it was his antidote to a bad day. Though he would likely encounter physical suffering, loneliness, and perhaps some difficult conversations, he was also going to find refuge in the center of God’s will as he cared for God’s people.

Leading from “love” can be difficult but it can also be fulfilling and perspective-gaining.

Question—

• Can you hang with others when they might not take your advice?

• Can you stay when you might be unappreciated or overlooked?

• Can you consistently show up when it would be more convenient to stay home?

• Can you push through awkward long enough to help others find resolution?

If we are going to see others succeed, we are going to have to.

There are plenty of people that lead from like. The world needs more folks that lead from love.

At Cornerstone we depend on them.

If you are ready to be one of those folks, I would love to talk to you!

Your friendship with a participant in our programs could literally become a catalyst for transformation in their life (and in yours as well).

Volunteer training is happening now. Can I add you to our list?