On a recent site visit to a potential host city for the Aldersgate conference, our Convention and Visitor’s Bureau contact shared about renovations done at the hotels.  As we dialogued about food options for conference attendees, she mentioned that the hotel I was staying in had just hired a new chef for their remodeled in-house restaurant.

The next morning, I decided to try it out for breakfast and ended up sitting by the omelet station.  Enjoying the opportunity to people-watch, I saw numerous people place their orders with the young man who was cooking.  I appreciated the grace and ease with which the cook fulfilled the orders and served the guests.

During the breakfast rush, the new chef came out of the kitchen and came along side the young man.  It was fascinating to watch the chef mentor the young man.  With a calm, quiet voice, the chef affirmed him and showed him a different technique of turning the omelet in the skillet.  He also offered suggestions about timing and pacing to serve multiple guests more efficiently.  Never once did the chef raise his voice, humiliate, scold or embarrass the young man as he was serving.

I studied the face of the young cook to see how he was embracing this “mentoring moment” – particularly because it was taking place in front of a number of hungry guests and wait staff.   To his credit, the young man stayed attentive to the voice of the one who came along side him.  It was also clear that he sought to implement what he was being shown, even after the chef returned to the kitchen.

As I watched, I couldn’t help but think how that was a picture of the way that the Holy Spirit ministers in our lives as we learn to serve others in leadership.  While we invest our lives seeking to serve more effectively, the “Counselor” (John 14:26) comes along side us.  The Holy Spirit does not intentionally seek to humiliate, scold or embarrass, but instead as “Helper” and “Comforter,” He speaks into our lives with divine counsel.  That is, if we choose to embrace what He is saying.

That’s what blessed me most in watching this young man.  He could have been defensive and resisted, or even complied with resentment.  But instead, in humility, he took joy in posturing himself as a student, seeking to heed the voice of the one who was speaking to him.  That is the challenge and the opportunity before us, individually and as a ministry.  Will we be defensive and resist the leading of the Holy Spirit?  Will we resentfully comply?  Or will we choose to joyfully posture ourselves as a student and heed the voice of the Holy Spirit – even while people are standing in front of us waiting to be served?  Would you pray for ARM, for me, and for all of us, that we would fully embrace the counsel of the Holy Spirit?  We desperately need divine wisdom for the many for whom we will serve.