Lord, sometimes we cannot help ourselves.  On my executive team, I see the appearance of cooperation but when I go down a level, I see that subordinates are fighting little wars on behalf of  their bosses.  They would not do that without approval.   It really gets in the way of maximizing our performance.

What did you do?   You brought a child into their midst and told them to knock it off.   You wanted simplicity, honesty and authenticity.    Were the disciples really that insecure?   Do we not get into trouble when we start being someone other than who we are?  How can I show this group that greatness is not a zero-sum game?

This becomes tough when getting ready to find my successor.   There is lots of jockeying.    Help me to lay out for those who might qualify what characteristics will be necessary for the job in the future.  Let me give them consistent feedback on how they are doing against those characteristics.   I need help in showing them how the process will be fair and transparent.   Help me with the Board of Directors, to minimize politics and seat of the pants judgements.   Let me explore with them what the criteria will be and how we will measure it.   I hope to discourage people having favorites unrelated to the criteria needed to succeed.

 

Section 2, Scripture: Proverbs 18:1-7; Luke 9:46

Hebrew Scripture

New Testament

1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. 2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. 3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach. 4 The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. 5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice. The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. Proverbs 18: 1-7

Luke 9:46:  ”An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.”   Ignatius Loyola identified a concept of detachment with which people could learn to be “indifferent” to hierarchy, status, possessions.   They practice non-possessive warmth with people enhancing freedom rather than “owning” the relationship.

Section 3
You may wish to be silent for a few minutes.

Section 4
Offer prayer in your own words speaking to God who is for us, with us and in us.