There are two weaknesses in the human nature that can affect our spiritual leadership of others. One is mentioned in the bible in some translations as thinking higher than ourselves than we ought to. This is clearly labeled throughout the Scriptures as sin. The root of pride can destroy our ministry quicker than many other things. However, the other tendency in the human nature is to think too lowly of ourselves. I read these encouraging words written by the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
I Corinthians 1
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
It seems that Paul was not so much trying to build up the disciples’ courage as he was wanting to let them know that their ministry is not dependent on their abilities. He is not asking them to think higher of themselves, but he is also not encouraging them to think lower of themselves. What he is doing is stating the spiritual truth that Christ is enough. God choses to use the common, the simple, the ordinary people who become leader servants of His. We are those servants. We don’t try to find glory in ourselves nor to bring glory to ourselves. We simply serve as Christ. He is the center of our service. It is him living in us and empowering us to fulfill our calling.
As Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches”. If we are in him we may be despised by the world and its system of judging our value, but we are used by God to fulfill his purpose. The work of God is holy and spiritual. It is eternal and lasting. Christ is our wisdom and strength. As we serve we bring glory to him. Our glory is in the glory of Jesus Christ. Keep serving. Keep leading. Keep believing that your service is making a difference in this world. Keep bringing glory to him with your life. That is your highest calling.