The Advantage is With Joy

“¹⁷Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” – Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)

This morning I was reminded, by way of the above passage, that the leaders I should be submitting to are those that do the work through joy. There is nothing for me to gain with those “leaders” that do the job out of obligation or while continuing to complain.

I have been in many organizations over the years and those that have been of the most benefit to me have been where those leading are doing so with a joyous heart. They are happy to be there and do the work and strive to do so to the betterment of others and not necessarily for any advantage for themselves. I am speaking of in the secular world as well as in the church. I have learned most from those that were interested in teaching and growing me as opposed to placing themselves in some position to be noticed or where they will get something from the work they are doing.

“⁷Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” – Hebrews 13:7 (ESV)

Here is where we should be leaning for help. We should be looking to the content of the character of those that we follow. We should look to imitate them and their faith. We should look to grow from their tutelage. We should look to be like them and follow the path they have set for us. This is where our advantage comes.

I wrote recently that there is no advantage in man’s law and the same goes for working with those that are out for themselves and are not joyous in their work. I have to remember to look out for the character of those I look up to and be sure to imitate the faith and the character of those that are God fearing and live to glorify Him. That is where my advantage is found.

Who are you looking up to? Are you looking to gain from those that have gained for themselves? What if you instead focused on the character and faith of those who lead and gained your advantage from them?