Musings of a Wanna-Be Leader

Leadership.  It seems that for years leadership has been a very talked-about and taught subject, especially in churches.  There are leadership conferences, books on leadership, CDs on leadership, leadership DVDS, leadership quotes, and even leadership underwear (OK maybe I made that last part up). 

It seems like everywhere Christians are striving to become leaders. 

A couple of weeks ago, after reading a friend's leadership quote on his facebook page, I got angry, really angry.  It hit me: seeking to be a leader is the exact opposite of what Christ has called us to seek after. 

Scripture verses relating to this (in no particular order):

• Mark 10:44-44   Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 

• Luke 14:7-11  When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable:  “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.  If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.  But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  
• Luke 18: 16   But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."  (How high on the totem pole were children in terms of societal views?  One of the lowest)
• Philippians 2:3-8   Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Those are just a few verses out of many.  

The truth is, I am not anti-leadership.  I LOVE leadership.  I love being in charge.  Anyone that knows me at all knows that.  I want things my way and for people to listen to me, after all I know what is best.  I LOVE to speak and for people to listen and to "oooh and ahhh" and marvel how they were inspired.


However, God has called me to something more.  He has called me to be meek.  He has called me to not tout my name and my position.   He has called me to be like the person of Christ: humble and a servant.


This is not easy.  I would prefer to have things my way.  To be the leader, to call the shots.  However, I must be content whatever the circumstances.  To love God and love others, whether or not it is noticed by the general public.  And I as much as I want to, I should not be humble so that in the end I will be exalted.  That is as bad as giving in order to get (but that is another post for another day).  

The beautiful thing is that God takes the no-ones and turns them into some-ones, who do have the opportunity to influence life and eternity for the better.  

It's just, where are your motives?




Here's to being a no-one.