My desk is full of clutter (or stuff), but everything has a purpose and is arranged in a certain way.  Most of the stuff on my desk are notes and papers that need to be attended to soon.  They come and go each day or week.  Other things are decorations or office essentials, like my paper clip dispenser or my stapler. I don’t think much about those.  But there are some other things on my desk that do have special meaning.  It is these I want to talk about.

Starting to my right there is a picture frame that has four individual frames are various sizes connected together.  One picture is mine and Connie’s wedding picture.  It should be a no-brainer why I have that picture staring at me.  The next one is of me holding my niece Meara at her first Christmas (I need to update this as Meara is growing up very quickly).  The third picture is me holding Meara when I baptized her.  This was an awesome day for me that I felt honored to be part of.  And the last one is a family picture.  We take a new picture every Christmas.  A tradition I started a couple years ago.  This picture frame is an important piece on my desk; and reminds me of how important my family is to me.  I can’t imagine life without them.

As I pan to the left I see my computer monitor with pieces of paper taped to it.  But each piece of paper has an important purpose.  The one on my bottom left is the scripture verse from 1 Peter 5:6-8 where it talks about humility; casting our anxieties on Christ; and disciplining ourselves.  It reminds me to stay focused and grounded.  It’s not about me but about Christ.  To the right of this piece of paper is an excerpt from Martin Luther’s commentary on Hebrews.  This reminds me about the nature of my ministry where it says "…to follow the bare voice of God and to be led and driven rather than to drive."  God is in control, not me.  On the top right hand side is my personal mission statement.  It talks about the four "E’s" of ministry: Engage, Enlighten, Enable and Empower.  It is the mission I wrote in seminary and has guided me ever since.  And next to that is Salem’s mission statement.  This reminds me of what the church’s mission is and that we need to be outward focused and not inward focused.  All of these pieces of paper remind we of why I am here and what I am called to do.  They may look like junk to the naked eye, but to mine, they are little treasures.

Panning to the left a few more inches is my computer tower.  On the top is a picture that had a huge impact on my life and ministry 10 years ago.  It is a picture that my mom gave me when I was going through a rough time at Bible camp.  The summer was 1995 and it was my first summer as a program director.  There were only three returning staff members out of about 30.  You can about imagine that we had our challenges.  But to make a long story short, it was one long summer.  I am not sure  how I survived.  But despite not have any fond memories of that summer, I did learn and important message…thanks to my mom.

The picture my mom gave me is one of an eagle.  It looks like it is flying low over some water.  Coming from the tail end of the eagle it looks like water spraying so it must have been trying to scoop up a fish.  On the top of the picture in capital letters is the word "LEADERS".  But on the bottom in smaller type it says, "Leadership is action, not position".  That phrase hit me square in the eyes when I needed it the most.  I was trying to be a leader that summer through my position, not through my actions.  I am not saying all the failures that summer were my fault, but I certainly did not help matters.  My next two summers were awesome.  Thanks mom!

But that picture also reminds me of a scene in scripture.  In John chapter 13 Jesus is with his disciples shortly before he is to be arrested.  As the meal is being served Jesus does something strange.  Jesus gets a bowl of water, a towel and proceeds to wash the feet of the disciples.  Everyone is amazed.  But Jesus goes on to say that he has set an example for them to follow.  We are to "wash the feet" of others.  In other words, we are to serve others; lead/serve through actions.  Jesus knew that people were not going to follow him strictly based on his words or through his extraordinary claims.  Jesus knew he must serve others because that is how God’s love is truly shown.  People respond to actions because they are more real than words can be.  Actions show that your serious.

We are good at talking a good talk, but can we walk a good walk.  I can sit here and talk about how important my family is, but if I don’t show them, I am just blowing hot air.  I can talk about mission statements and powerful scripture verses, but if I don’t respond to their message, I am only speaking idle words.  Leadership is about action, not only words and definitely not about position.  Be an example to others.  Show love rather than just talk about it.

God did not just talk about love, God showed it through the cross.  God was and is serious about you.  God was/is not about lip service.  God is about action.  See the cross and be reminded of God’s love.  See your neighbor and be reminded to serve.  Praise be to God and Amen! -EDH-