When [Jesus] had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

John 13:12-20

What do Jesus, James Baldwin, Laverne Cox and Brene Brown have in common?

They lead by example. They lead from self-examination and self-responsibility. They lead from seeing their own souls first. They are bold in getting messy. They are brave in saying where there needs growth in themselves because in talking about themselves, I recognize it in me. They hold themselves to the same standards they hold us. When I listen or read their words, I am convicted and challenged how I can receive as they have been convicted and challenged how they have can receive. I thank them for their example. I thank them for their pure authenticity and honesty. I thank them for expecting the impossible from us. I thank them for desiring all of us to experience a wholeness that we were made for. I thank them for showing us the way to freedom by being the freest people. Happy Juneteenth.

Prayer: God I want to lead from vulnerability and self-examination. God I want to lead from seeing myself clearly and seeing the fullness of others.

From what wounds and pains can I lead from?