True servanthood that all should strive for, places great emphasis on service rather than recognition and titles
Reviewed by Nicholas Asego of ‘The Standard’ newspaper
The call to servanthood is a tough one for all mortals. While it remains one of the highest calls in life, rank or title, servanthood is the least admirable trait to many. It is this disturbing trait that the author sets out to correct and inspire many the pearl that is in servanthood .In this life characterized by a lifestyle commonly referred to as rat race, the majority’s desire is always to find the key to success that will ensure he or she ahead of his colleagues, peers or even snooping relatives
“Most people have their eyes on success and majority will do anything to achieve it,” writes the author. Daniel Wabala in Rediscovering The Pearl Of Servanthood sets to find out what true servanthood involves and explains away the misconception that many have regarding being a servant.
According to the author, servanthood is highest model of life, despite the worlds attempt to try and make it like the lowliest kind of life. People just need to try and rediscover, redefine and understand what makes it a fundamental virtue.
One of the key characteristics of servanthood is self denial, the ability to think of the good of others before oneself. This is in great contrast to what the author calls the self –syndrome that is behind most of the ills in the society including corruption.
“This is the reason someone would amass and hoard a lot of wealth for himself through corrupt means at the expense of many people languishing in abject poverty”, writes the author. In pursuing servanthood it is imperative for one to position himself or herself at a place of sacrificing their own interest for themselves and others.
Another shining light of servanthood is that servants don’t impose their authority on others despite the overwhelming temptation to do that.” in most institutions today, you don’t have to ask who is in authority, they are readily visible,” observes the author.
Many get their satisfaction and gratification from literally “throwing their weight and rank around”. Yet this “boss” mentality is a hindrance to meaningful relationships where people can mentor each other .This aspect robs humans of the right to use their own faculty of responsibility and accountability and instead creates fear insecurity and manipulation that negatively interfere with performance.
Servanthood has everything to do with humility. Its one of the principles that defies the worlds rule on greatness and has also been the waterloo of many politicians “serving others will not strip you of your rank, title or position; that view is held by insecure people who feel that they have to perform to appear to be in authority .” This was perhaps best exemplified by former US president Ronald Regan after the assassination attempt.
While recuperating in hospital the still weak president went down on his hands to wipe the water that he had accidentally spilled on the floor. The most powerful man in the free world didn’t want to bother his aides or his nurses for a problem he had caused’. This meekness, which according to the dictionary is strength under control. Meekness for a leader means setting strides that are comfortable for others and helping them catch up with you.
While everybody is obsessed with titles, true servants are not title seekers. Watchmen and cooks would rather be called security personnel and food specialist respectively.”…The value of one is not in the job and responsibility you fulfill”, cautions the author. Though the author declares that he’s not opposed to titles, he cautions that they can be a snare especially when conceived from the wrong motives.
The true servanthood that all should strive for places great emphasis on service rather than recognition and titles.
The author attributes many failures in leadership both political and even in the church to lack of faithfulness, again a key component in servanthood.
“Many people will only behave well when there is someone watching; that is why we have people who normally develop two faces, one in public and the other for the private life,” he writes. The lack of this vital component is greatly responsible for marital breakups, failure of business partnerships, bitterness in friendships etc. The tragedy of our society is that it has discarded faithfulness and all related words like commitment, loyalty, reliability and integrity.
In a chapter entitled “servants bear the heat of the day” the author takes a look at Nelson Mandela one of the Africa’s leading statesmen. His rise to becoming one of the most significant black leaders in South Africa and a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement was due to the fact that he constantly and consistently refused to compromise his political position in order to obtain his personal freedom. He was willing to bear the heat of the day to see his people liberated.
Another example is martin Luther who endured numerous police arrests and other difficulties few would be willing to undergo. Yet their unselfish acts earned the freedom that no money could buy for many. True servants are willing to endure difficulties in their service for their masters. Like in the case of both Mandela and Luther their master was the struggle for freedom for the people.
These are just some of the principles on servanthood shared by the author, a reading of the book will reveal more. Drawing examples from the bible and the contemporary world, it is ideal for both practicing and aspiring leaders. Given its candidness, explicitness, depth and penetrating revelation, Rediscovering the Pearl of Servanthood will definitely help the reader unravel the rare gem only found in servanthood
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