Compassionate Leadership: God’s Hug

Welcome to yet another blog. I hope you have been well and have been practicing Servant Leadership.

Today, as the topic suggests, we shall talk about Compassionate Leadership.

First and foremost, Compassionate Leadership is a style of leading that is based on showing empathy, understanding, and expressing love genuinely—just like Jesus Christ did. A verse that comes to mind when I think of compassion is Matthew 9:36, which states:
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Most of Chapter 9 talks about Jesus’ miracles—healing, forgiving the sins of a paralytic man, and even raising someone from the dead. This chapter also brings to light how Jesus was questioned—about forgiving sins, associating with tax collectors and sinners, and about fasting. Toward the end of the chapter, Jesus highlights that there are not enough people to win souls for God’s Kingdom. This is also where Matthew 9:36 is found.

Today’s world is not much different.

Sometime this week, I was going through a teaching in Mizizi (a 10-week experience where students learn about their faith—how to grow it and how to share it with others), specifically Week 9, Day 5. The reflection question of the day really got me thinking. It asked:
“What is one of the social needs that you see around your neighborhood?”

This question reminded me of the physically challenged individuals I often see, and those who get so drunk nearly every day that they can't make it home—they end up sleeping by the roadside. I felt Matthew 9:36 come to life, and I made a mental note to keep them in prayer. I also promised myself to do my best to help them, no matter how small the gesture may seem. Whether it’s giving them food, speaking to them with kindness, or simply being empathetic, I’ve resolved to act.

To me, Compassionate Leadership feels like a hug from God.

The first time I felt this was during my first ever small group fellowship. I was in college, facing issues like lack of school fees, accommodation challenges, and a particularly harsh school administrator I dreaded interacting with. These and other issues put me in a very negative mental—and sometimes physical—space. My small group members would listen to me, validate my feelings, and one of them would even offer to walk me back to my accommodation. Honestly, the path I used to take felt like walking through the valley of the shadow of death.

I’d walk from Nairobi CBD to Ngara hostels along the Thika Road Superhighway, which at the time was still under construction. There were no street lights, no road markings, and it was used by both pedestrians and a few vehicles. Our small group meetings would end around 7:00 p.m., and walking on that road—considering my state of mind—could have led to something tragic. I’m grateful it didn’t, and even more grateful that my loved ones never had to face such danger.

Another time I felt God hug me was when I was heartbroken about life but didn’t feel like sharing my pain with anyone because I thought no one would understand. My dear mother would just hug me—so warmly, without saying a word—and I would break down. That silent hug seemed to last just long enough to begin making things feel better. Those moments, truly, were hugs from God.

The reason I refer to Compassionate Leadership as “hugs from God” is because after receiving these hugs, I would find the strength to get back on my feet. I could take the next step in the right direction. That’s exactly what I hope to do for others today. People are hurting. They are going through so much, and I can relate to that pain. I want to be there for them—just like someone was there for me.

If it's the kind of hug my mother gave me, I want to share it. If it's just being there to listen to someone voicing their struggles, I want to be present. And if I can do more to help someone through their own “valley of the shadow of death,” I will do it.

I want God to use me to bring hope to the hopeless, joy to those who have forgotten how to laugh, and light to those who see no good coming their way. Most importantly, I want to share my love for God with them. I want them to experience Him the way I am experiencing Him—through His goodness and a real relationship with Him.

To conclude today’s blog, I encourage all of us to practice being Compassionate Leaders and share those hugs from God. Look carefully around you and identify those who need God’s touch—from your home, to your workplace, school, church, or wherever you may be going.

There shouldn’t be a lack of God’s hugs if you’ve read this post today...

Can I count you in?