Lord, what do you have for me to learn in pig farming?
Servant leadership. Prodigal son.
I spent the month reflecting on these topics. Servant leadership was discussed at debrief. I’ve practiced this before, but I sensed the Lord ready to take me to the next level.
Servant leadership begins with being fully present and serving well no matter what you are doing. I learned a dirty, behind-the-scenes job with no interaction with campers and most of the squad is a good place to practice this. This job requires a sacrifice at some level, but every person is a part of the whole body. Each part has a purpose and function to offer the whole and failing to do so causes all to suffer.
At debrief, I learned servant leadership focuses on the needs of those being led, not on those leading. It seeks to empower other people.
Does the way I serve point others to Christ or pull them away?
Do I truly desire others to be greater?
Do I have a heart to see others surpass me?
Do I know how to follow well so that I may lead well?
Am I looking for the approval of those around me?
When asked these questions, my heart desires to scream “yes” to preferring others over myself, pointing them to their Savior, and needing only His approval. The truth is I still have areas to grow. My heart is willing; my flesh is weak. Fortunately, God always shows up to work in me what is still lacking.
Now, the prodigal son was so full of pride that he wasted his life away to the point of caring for pigs and desiring to fill his belly with their food. Yuck! You can read the entire story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32, but I love this verse:
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. ~Luke 15:20~
The father’s heart is always looking for his son to return home. He was watching for him and was filled with compassion for him. When the son returned, the father celebrated! When we realize this is God’s heart for us—always—it changes us from the inside out.
And working on a pig farm gives you plenty of time to reflect on lessons from a different perspective…the Father’s perspective.
1. Sin makes us filthy and we often even know it!
2. Sin, like pig poo, smells horrible…all the time! It causes a stench in our lives that we eventually don’t even notice because our senses become dulled to it.
4. Cleansing lives full of sin is accomplished by the living water of Jesus removing all the mess.
5. Adequate amounts of water removes all the sin, and sometimes we need a gentle stream, other times a powerful spray.
6. As deep as the sin or hurt goes in our lives, the water will go just as deep to cleanse and bring healing.
7. Pastors are entrusted with the care of a body of Christ followers. They help each one receive the right kind of food for their maturity level, but fully expect growth to take place.
8. People get excited when they receive truth and living water. They sometimes even shout with joy!
9. In the body of Christ, each member has a role to play in building the body. More workers lighten the load and make it more fun for everyone involved.
10. When you work together, you are likely to get messy helping others break free of sin and bondage in their lives. It will wash off, and daily time in the word of God helps keep you clean. Have joy in the midst of the clean up process!
11. Pastors care for their people with patience and a steady sort of peace. They know them and what they need. It can be a lonely job, but they faithfully persevere.
By the end of the month, I actually enjoyed working with pigs. It’s still a dirty job, but I love how the Lord can teach us through the daily things we do. If you are willing to listen, he’ll show up in the strangest of places. And when He does, He always has wisdom, love, and compassion to pour out.
Thank you for being a part of this journey, and I pray the Lord is helping you learn as you travel on your own.
Bekah
