Advantage Is Given When Leaders Leave

Jesus returned to the Father and left us so that we may have an advantage in our growth.

“⁷Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” – John 16:7 (ESV)

Here Jesus outlines the advantage that will be gained by His returning to the Father and allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us all.

Too often we find ourselves dependent on the “leader” to get things done so that we have the ability to just do our work without interruption. The “leaders” are placed in the position of doing everything and therefor the growth of those below is not realized as there is no need as there is always someone there to do the work so that others can be dependents.

I happen to believe that growth comes most when the “leaders” are not there to do everything. As an example, there was a week that I was asked to serve as the point of contact for my boss as he was out on vacation. With him out I was standing in for him in meetings and other areas. There were several instances when decisions needed to be made that he would normally make and be involved in. I took the opportunity to make those decisions and move forward with work for the team and everything worked out well as though he were there all along. When he returned, he commented to me that I had done such a good job of stepping up that I “made him look bad”. Now that was not my intent, but you can see that when he stepped out of the way and allowed others to do the work they were able to step up and do the work.

Jesus stepped out of the limelight and gave way to the Holy Spirit to “help” and allowed His disciples to do the work going forward. They would no longer be dependent on Jesus to do the work and they would now be called on to step up their work and take the “lead” in all things to advance the gospel. Yes, the Holy Spirit would be there to guide and comfort, but the leading and doing was now left up to the disciples.

It is to our advantage to not me dependent on the “leaders” to get things done. We should be working to grow our skills and take the lead in all things. We should call on the “leaders” for help when something is out of our control or authority, but until that comes, we should be doing the work.

What work have you been putting off on your leader? Are you allowing others to do the work that you are certainly capable of doing yourself? What if you were to take advantage of the growth opportunities and do work for yourself and ask for help only when you “need” it?