This month marks the closing month of America’s first Black President Barack Obama, which brings to a close his eight year presidency over the world’s biggest democracy. In his closing, as is the norm, the First Lady is invited as is expected, to make her final speech, as the First Lady of the United States of America. A lawyer by training, Mrs Obama delivered a profound and powerful speech to a packed audience at the White House. She talked about the Reach Higher initiative she started and throughout her speech the First Lady commended those senior workers and counsellors who worked diligently and fervently to see the success of their students. Mrs Obama gave a poignant and important comment concerning rights and freedom. In addressing the next generation, she said, ‘young people…do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter… You need to prepare yourself to be informed and engaged as a citizen, to serve and to lead…’
It is interesting that oftentimes, those who should support gravitate towards leading, when in fact without their support, leaders cannot lead. Every leader must first learn what it means to be led, for in this is the grooming and the refining for any great leader. When we look at great leaders in the Bible, we will see that they had a period of discipleship by others. David served Saul, Elisha served Elijah, Joshua served Moses and Moses served Pharaoh. Peter also served Jesus. What is interesting too, is that Jesus was a disciple of John the Baptist (and that’s a theological point often overlooked).
Henry Drummond reminded us as he stated, “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
If you desire to be the next great leader, be the great servant. If you are to be the next great pioneer, be the great supporter. Jesus, as the great example of leadership surmised, this in his statement from Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Even if you are not called to lead, be the leading servant, remembering that all we do is to the glory of God.