Leading with Love vs. Leading with Fear

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." -2 Corinthians 13:14

In many organizations, the driving force is fear. Workers are afraid of losing their job, so they work themselves to the bone. People fear failing, or not being accepted, so they do whatever is asked. Perhaps there is a fear of authority, due to past experiences. Whatever type of organization, fear can be a powerful motivator, but it is often not the best one. When speaking of unhealthy fear, where people feel afraid to express themselves openly or feel fairly comfortable and appreciated, love goes much further in motivating people and keeping them with you alongside your mission.

What does love look like in an organization? Here are the characteristics of love as cited in 1 Corinthians 13:

• Patient
• Kind
• Not jealous
• Doesn't boast
• Humble
• Honors others
• Not self-seeking
• Forgiving
• Doesn't delight in evil
• Rejoicing in truth
• Always protects
• Always trusts
• Always hopes
• Always preserves

In today's competitive organizations, some of these attributes are quite a contradiction. Boundaries and processes are in order, for sure. But, wouldn't we get so much further by motivating others and setting an example in love versus fear?

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

"How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice!"  -Song of Solomon 4:10

"Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: 'This is what the LORD says: "'I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness, through a land not sown."'" -Jeremiah 2:2

All throughout scripture a beautiful love story is interwoven between all of humanity and her bridegroom, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Every great love story has this plot of the handsome prince saving his princess, fighting off evil enemies in order to rescue her and gain the chance to win her hand.  In modern times, Beauty and the Beast, Allie and Noah, and Bella and Edward have been the forefront characters... but all great love stories involve a certain mystery, a certain magic, and a certain struggle that the man must endure and overcome to win the heart of his bride.  And continue to win it.

Jesus' death and resurrection on the cross was payment for every sin on this earth.  No one is without sin, and so we desperately needed a Savior who would be willing to lay down His life for us so we would not have to endure eternal death.

In this, as we realize just a piece of what kind of sacrifice was required, we learn to love a God who gave up His Son Jesus so that we wouldn't have to die.  Every great story has a derivative of this narrative; that's what makes it so great, and so compelling. 

As the story goes, Jesus is coming back for His bride one day, in a glorious wedding ceremony.  "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband." -Revelation 21:2

But in order for Jesus to return for His bride, we have to be ready.  "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." -Revelation 19:7

Do you know your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?  Pray that He would reveal Himself to you, and that He would win over your heart. We need to be found ready, so that His glory can be revealed in all those who believe in Him - His bride, the Church.