“Anyone who hasn’t experienced the ecstasy of betrayal knows nothing about ecstasy at all.” – Jeab Genet

During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:2-5)

Every leader at some point in their leadership will experience betrayal and disloyalty. If you haven’t, then your sphere of influence is not very expanse.

Leaders that exercise their gift of discernment can detect well in advance a personality or attitude that has the propensity to be toxic to the organization and divisive to the team. It is how leaders handle these situations that authenticate their mark as a leader.

In John 13, Jesus knew Peter would deny him. He knew Judas would betray him. He knew the other disciples would abandon him after his arrest in the garden. But he washed their feet anyway. He SERVED those that would impulsively deny him, intentionally betray him, and rashly abandon him.

ARE YOU SERVING PEOPLE WHOM YOU FEEL INSECURE ABOUT?

Anybody can serve those they feel secure around. But WHO do you serve that makes you feel insecure? Who do you serve that will likely walk out on you as soon as they get their feelings hurt? As a leader, do you know someone on your team that could potentially be toxic to the unity of that team whom you are SERVING anyway?

This is a mark of a healthy leader – they don’t stress would-be betrayers, they wash their feet. They serve in love. Perhaps there is no greater catalyst to growth in a leaders life than to intentionally SERVE, in advance, those whom they sense will ultimately betray them.

Humbly serving those who would betray you indicates you are closer to the cross than ever before!

SERVE well. LOVE well. LIVE well. LEAD well.