The Inner Circle

We’ve been where others are now, searching for entrance into that inner circle of friends, co-workers, or business owners. Through the years we’ve grown weary with standing out, looking in. We yearn for that inner circle that will give us shoulder access to other success stories.

With jealous glances, we see those wearing their special badges of honor. That inner circle. Who knows what they will talk about behind the closed conference doors when all the gawkers are shut out. There they go. Gone. Shuttered.

As a young technologist, I yearned to move up the ranks from lowly beginner positions. It’s not that I did not enjoy my job, some of the best times of career was found in the cold computer room! You have to know me!

Still, I looked at the growth that moved me ever up the corporate ladder, looking for that next Inner Circle. A place of importance. Recognition. Perhaps a better salary!

For years, as a young minister, I longed to sit on the platform, recognized for my calling. There were some churches that showed the pecking order and others who showed there were some better than others. I learned something.

The inner circle isn’t all it’s cracked up to be!

Sitting on a board of directors doesn’t mean being paid for your name, rather, it means making hard decisions. To be on the platform of ministry wannabe’s, you suddenly realize the true place for ministry is not in front of, rather among the people.

I think Jesus showed his desire for people best on that night of the Last Supper.

He slips into the specially prepared room and meal. He sits at the table with his Inner Circle. Some think it was the long table as presented by Leonardo Da Vinci. It may have been a table (Jesus was a carpenter, after all), but I don’t see it as he painted it. They are all on one side for the painter’s depiction, and to be served by someone else. I think a true Passover is them gathering in close, face to face, sharing with each other. Why? This was the night to prepare for remembering the death angel that would visit their forefathers in Egypt.

They finish their Passover meal, and suddenly, Jesus does something unique, even strange.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
(John 13:3-5 ESV)

A Servant Leader

Jesus becomes the servant leader to his Inner Circle. Essentially, “What I’ve done for you, you do for others.” There is no task so menial that any one of us cannot but stoop to do. My pastor over 30 years ago taught this by example. Cleaning overflowing toilets, handling a crisis that meant getting dirty, and showing that he was not above anything that needed doing.

I’ve often wondered why people want to be upfront and seen of the crowds.

So much of our leadership comes from touching those who work for us or follow our ministry. Maybe you need to be at the front, behind a podium, for some important speaking moments, but to rub shoulders with those you are responsible for is the greatest pleasure of a true leader.

I pause and think about it like this.

It’s not only to our Inner Circle, but we are also given a ministry to family, friends and those who never darken the doors of our life. Strangers. The down-and-outers.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
(Matthew 5:43-48 ESV)

Prove Your Leadership

One last thought… We each need to prove we are capable of leading others, first by leading ourselves.

Look back at the Inner Circle of Jesus, and realize there was even a closer Inner Circle of three – Peter, James and John. This very night they will let Jesus down in the garden as he prays and agonizes over the coming sacrifice. They will flee into the night. Peter will deny he ever knew the Lord before the morning light peaks over the horizon. He flees into the night, weeping and cursing himself for failing and falling.

When I began ministry, I felt it was the right thing to do to put my family on a different tier of importance. After all, God called me to my role and that must be more important than family. Right? Wrong!

Long before the role of ministry is mentioned in scriptures, God sets a priority in the Garden of Eden.

First, there was Adam and his relationship with God. Then, Adam and his relationship to Eve. Finally, Adam and Eve’s relationship with God.

Though one person may be overpowered by another, two people can resist one opponent. A triple-braided rope is not easily broken.
(Ecclesiastes 4:12 GW)

Do you want strength to handle the growth potential of your leadership or ministry? Triple braid the rope of your life! You, your spouse, and God. After all of this, then you can spend yourselves on others that God puts in your life. Support of this braided rope is strong to handle the storms that will come!