READ: 1 Timothy 3:14-4:16
Verses
chosen for meditation: 1 Timothy 4:11-12
11 Command and
teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for
your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in
love, in faith, in purity.
REFLECT
These
verses show the huge responsibility that Timothy was being called to, and the difficulties
that plague him. V11 sums up the instructions that Paul needed Timothy to pass
on to the churches of Ephesus. However, these instructions might not be received
well, due to Timothy’s young age (probably thirties).
Timothy
was called to Christian leadership beyond his years, and some do not take it
kindly. Perhaps there were some jealous of his promotion over their heads.
Others may simply look down on him purely based on age. How should young
Christian leaders react in such situations, so that people would not despise their
youth and reject their ministry?
Paul
gave guidance in v12. He called upon Timothy to resist retaliating with
aggressive and prideful behaviour by imposing his will, but to serve humbly,
setting an example in speech and action, showing love and holiness. He is
saying something along the lines of “don’t let people look down on you just
because you are young, but make them look up to you because they admire your
example. Then they will not despise your youth”.
RELATE
Paul’s guidance is not limited to just young leaders,
but a model for all leaders. Apostle Peter gave the same instructions to church
elders in 1 Peter 5:3, urging them not to Lord over those under their charge,
but be examples to the flock. The two apostles were echoing the teachings of
Jesus, who introduced a new, life-giving style of leadership to the world:
servant leadership.
It is a great temptation, whenever our leadership is
questioned or resisted, to assert all the more strongly our authority. This is
especially so when the resistance is unjustified, like how the church may not
value Timothy’s input just purely based on age. However, reacting aggressively may
strike fear, but will not win over the hearts of people.
In the past, I was often called to responsibilities beyond
my age. They require me to present ideas, manage culture change and conduct
teachings to people of higher seniority. Some of them would disregard what I
say, not because of my content or delivery, but my age. This occurrence was
common throughout my career, even when I hold leadership positions over them. I
admit the disrespect was hard to stomach, and it was tempting to use positional
authority to “put them in their place”.
But what I’ve come to learn was that people are not
half as bad as you imagine them to be when they first resist you. When I’ve persisted
to let my work and conduct do the talking, people would start to come around. Their
hearts soften, walls of resistance break down and I’ve come to find that some
of them are great people to work with.
I’ve also observed how forceful imposing of will
from some young leaders have backfired, causing much bitterness and ineffectiveness.
It’s a pity because the abilities and intent of some of these leaders are good.
But they couldn’t react humbly to their authority being challenged. Leadership
and Lordship are two different concepts. The Christian leads by example, not by
force. Servant leadership, as shown by Jesus, is a model that invites a
following, not a boss who compels people to follow.
When we heed the apostles’ teachings, letting our
speech and conduct be an example, some may come around eventually to our
ministry. Some may yet remain arrogant, jealous or hard-hearted. But such persons
will likely continue to be like that if other approaches (especially aggressive stances) are used anyway. We persist
in responding in love, and leave the result to God.
REST
Father,
help us to persist in whatever you have called us to do. When others judge our leadership
or ministry based on other factors rather than for what it is, let us not be
dismayed and give up, but remind us to react by serving humbly. In Jesus’ name
we pray, Amen.
Chris
Chong
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