A carrot or a whip?

There was a man who was second in command over some other folks and he was speaking harshly to them. I was in a position of authority over him and one evening invited him to sit and have a chat with me. We discussed the way he was talking to them and I began to explain that leading people with humility would go much farther and accomplish much more than arrogance and harsh words. He proceeded then to explain to me that humility was for the weak. Pride was the only form of effective leadership. He made a few insulting remarks about my position on humility and stormed out. Not long after he came to me and wondered why the guys wouldn’t do what he told them to. I told him to try asking them instead of telling them and to join them in the work and see if it made a difference. It took awhile but it had good results. Some may see humility as weak but how does God view it? He, after all is the ultimate authority. 1 Peter 5:5&6 says; all of you clothe yourselves with humility towards one another because, God opposes the proud but shows grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under God’s mighty hand and he will lift you up in due time.
The world tells us to be prideful but God has shown us that being humble is the best way. Jesus, being God, humbled himself and left his throne in heaven to come here, in a human body, and in the greatest display of humility ever, gave his life, even on a cross in great pain, so that we could be forgiven and saved from eternal punishment. Jesus could have exercised his authority over us but instead he showed us his authority by loving us instead!! Folks, humility is not a trait of weakness but of strength!! Being a leader is a position of humility and of a servant. There is no place for pride and arrogance in God’s kingdom!! Lord, help us to follow your example as we deal with people. Help us to be humble and love people like Jesus did!!
Remember this: you can lead a mule with a carrot much better than you can with a whip! Have a great day!!