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Blog / John Maxwell Profiles in Leadership: The Servant Girl – Never Too Small to Make a Difference

John Maxwell Profiles in Leadership: The Servant Girl – Never Too Small to Make a Difference

John Maxwell This is the twenty-first lesson in bestselling author and speaker John Maxwell’s Leadership by the Bible series. If you know someone or a group who would like to follow along on this journey through Scripture, tell them to sign up to receive John’s free email devotional here.


By John C. Maxwell

2 Kings 5:1-3

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The Bible records only one statement this girl made. Her part is so small the Scripture writer didn’t even mention her name. But she proves no one is too small to make a big difference.

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All this young slave could do was suggest her leprous master go to Elisha for healing. That was a huge risk. If Naaman had gone to Israel and come back sick and looking foolish, he would not have been kind to the person who suggested he go. But he was healed. More importantly, his faith was changed. He realized God was God and sought to worship Him the rest of his life. One seemingly insignificant person doing a courageous act made a big difference in his life.

The servant girl encourages all leaders who want to make a difference to:

  • Be confident. Naaman listened to the girl because she believed in what she told him.
  • Be credible. The girl’s service must have been valued since her suggestion was accepted by Naaman. People pay more attention to how you live than to what you say.
  • Speak to people’s needs. Everyone needs hope and help, even powerful people such as Naaman.

Are you feeling small or insignificant? Don’t let that stop you from doing what you know is right for God. He will reward your obedience.

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The above is adapted from The Maxwell Leadership Bible / Third Edition by John C. Maxwell (@JohnCMaxwell). Copyright © 2002, 2007, 2018 by Maxwell Motivation, Inc. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com.


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Filed under John Maxwell Leadership, Leadership