Leading by example

Tomorrow at youth with the girls, we will be talking about leading and serving. One of our goals at school and at CORM is to build up servant-leaders. I am reminded often of how leadership looks in the world. Often those with more seniority or experience want to lead, but don't want to lead by example. As I was searching scripture to share with our girls, I was reminded that over and over again, Jesus was a servant-leader. He told his disciples that leadership looks different by the world's standards than it does by Kingdom standards. That is more clear than ever when we read John 13. The heading for the passage is "Jesus Teaches His Disciples" followed by the subheading " Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet". Jesus taught by example. Washing feet was the job for the lowest servant in the house. It was a dirty job, but Jesus, God in flesh, did not consider himself above this menial job. 

In Matthew 20:25-27, Jesus tells his disciples, "You know that the 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 your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." In the world, many who consider themselves higher up the "ladder", whether in age, social status or experience, want to lord it over others. They want to be served. However, Jesus says in the Kingdom, whoever wants to become great must first become a servant. Too many times we want to follow the world's leadership example instead of Christ's. Imagine though, the light we would shine if we served each other joyfully. We'd be like a city on a hill! 

I am praying that as I share and learn with our girls at youth that I will be an example to them in serving. I want to be able to say them as Paul said to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 11:1), " Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 

Are you a servant-leader?

Dawn