While
visiting the campus of Purdue University on a frigid winter day, I came upon
two young men chipping away thick ice on the sidewalk next to a fraternity
house. Thinking they must be underclassmen who had been assigned the tough job
by older fraternity brothers, I said, “They didn’t tell you about this when you
joined, did they?” One looked up with a smile and said, “Well, we’re both
upperclassmen. I’m the fraternity vice-president and my friend here is the
president.” I thanked them for their hard work and went on my way having been
reminded that serving others is the mark of a true leader.
When two
of Jesus’ disciples asked Him for positions of honor in His coming kingdom, the
Lord gathered His twelve closest followers and told them, “Whoever desires to
become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be
first shall be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44). If there was any doubt about what
Jesus meant, He reminded them that He had not come to be served but to serve
others and to give His life to ransom them from the power of sin (v.45).
The mark of true, godly leadership is not power and privilege, but humble service. God gives us strength to follow Jesus’ example and to lead His way.
A qualified leader is one who has learned to serve. (RBC)
