Love is manifested when we practice integrity
Ephesians 5:1-2 The Message
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.”
Following Jesus as the Leadership Example: A Reflection
MHS Association, many MHS Association organizations, and the organization I lead as CEO have in some form the value of “Following Jesus as the Leadership Example.”
But what does this mean in practice? I find profound insight in Paul’s words from Ephesians: “Mostly what God does is love.” If we are to be imitators of Christ, then predominantly we will act in love—toward our team members, our residents, their families, and everyone we encounter.
Love in the Workplace
How is this love expressed, particularly in the workplace? First and foremost, it means valuing and respecting all individuals. Treating someone with respect involves showing regard for their abilities and worth. It means valuing their feelings and views, even when we disagree. We don’t need to take a binary approach; we can love despite differences. Respect also means accepting others on an equal basis and giving them the same consideration we would expect for ourselves.
Integrity as a Manifestation of Love
Love is manifested when we practice integrity. Practicing integrity means being honest, fair, and ethical in our actions, even when it’s challenging or unpopular. Integrity involves doing what is right, which is fundamental to building trust and strong relationships. And isn’t life ultimately about relationships?
Living a righteous life is a biblical mandate. As a youngster, I struggled to understand this until I heard Myron Augsburger explain that “Righteousness simply means being rightly related to God and rightly related to each other.” Relationships are indeed the essence of life.
Kindness as an Expression of Love
Love is also demonstrated through kindness. My parents emphasized the importance of kindness, modeling it for their children. Kindness is more than a behavior; it’s a spirit of helpfulness, generosity, and consideration extended without expectation of anything in return. Rather than viewing kindness solely as an action, we should see it as a quality to cultivate. Becoming proficient in kindness doesn’t happen overnight; it requires consistent effort and practice.
Modeling kindness can also inspire others. One of the kindest people I have known was my grandmother, whose kindness was mirrored by my mother. This lineage of kindness is a powerful testament to the influence of modeling Christ-like behavior.
Emulating Christ’s Example
Paul understood the importance of modeling, by starting his message to the Ephesians with, “Watch what God does, and then you do it.” Let this be our focus as we navigate through the organizations we serve and the communities we live in. To truly follow Christ’s example, we will need to abandon caution when it comes to dispensing love and instead be extravagantly generous with it. May it be so!