The Hospitable Leader DevotionalSample

As Terry Smith says in The Hospitable Leader, “We must make certain that in every possible leadership setting we are creating space for those we lead to expand themselves.” When people step into our sphere of influence, they are looking for an ability to expand themselves and have an impact on their surroundings.

Our passage today, a letter from the apostle Paul to Timothy, exemplifies this leadership tactic. Timothy, a young minister, had been mentored by Paul throughout Paul’s missionary journeys. Eventually, Paul established Timothy in a position of leadership over the church in the city of Ephesus when Paul needed to move on from there and continue other work. It’s clear that Timothy seemed to be especially called to the task in Ephesus, as elders had laid their hands and confirmed a calling that burned within Timothy.

It’s possible, though, that Timothy had begun to question his calling, perhaps in response to the congregation questioning his leadership because of his age. Paul senses the struggle this young leader is facing but encourages him forward in order to accomplish his calling of preaching and living out the gospel. In this moment of instruction, we see Paul give multiple leadership points that we all can learn from. First of all, Paul gives Timothy the area to expand himself but simultaneously mentors and teaches him along the way. He doesn’t leave him hanging, struggling to figure out what to do, and he doesn’t smother him and deflate his authority. For Paul, this has to be difficult as the Ephesian church was close to his heart and his personal calling. As leaders, it can be incredibly tempting to gather projects or work back into your own arms when they begin to fail. But Paul knew this was Timothy’s “calling,” his Area of Destiny, if you will. To discourage his expansion in Ephesus was to thwart God’s plan for his life. 

Secondly, Paul encourages Timothy in his personal life, as his personal life affects his leadership. To expand oneself in one’s Area of Destiny is interminably intertwined with one’s personal character. If we’re expanding ourselves, yet we aren’t full of character, then what of ourselves is worth expanding? Our business acumen, or strategic thinking, or technical competency is only as important as it’s done with care and faithful concern for living within God’s parameters for our lives. Thus, when we’re in our spheres of influence, we’re remembering the Area of Destiny God has given us and others, but we’re also thinking about how we’re expanding the character of who we are into those areas.