Servant or Leader?

“Servant Leaders bring in the best talent in the business in order to accomplish their goal, even when that means they may be upstaged.” (russcanto)

As humans, we naturally organize people into two categories: servants and masters, or leaders and followers. But there is a third category that Jesus asks us to participate in… many knows it as the “servant leader”.

I’ve had small bits of leadership during my life, and this is never something that I’ve thought deeply about. Servant leading? Yeah, okay, totally. I’ve heard that term since I was a kid, in Sunday school and on mission trips.

But in the recent future I’ve suddenly begun to have real leadership positions… I have people working under me, and I have to lead WELL… and I’m glad that there is a learning curve, because I have a lot of work to do! I like to lead, but I’m not always necessarily GOOD at leading, I’ve found.

And then today I stumble upon John 13. (Well it wasn’t too much of a stumble, really - since I’m reading through John)

This is the chapter of the Bible where Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. Wow. It’s kind of crazy. He is the leader of ALL, and yet he’s stooping to do something dirty and menial, but he’s doing it FOR THEM. He isn’t too much of a leader to serve. Because the right kind of leader is one who serves. Yes, a leader is needed to stand up and give instructions and organize and hold people to deadlines and all that… but there’s also this part of being a leader - a very important part - that included being willing to SERVE those who are following you. To be willing to do their jobs, or even jobs below what they do, in order to help them or care for them.

I think the idea of a servant leader is nice and idealistic, but it’s not often seen. Sure, there is the perfect model that Christ gave us, but where else do we see this being carried out?

The modern business world often promotes an, “ahead at any/all costs” mentality. The modern world of church leadership often values flash, numbers, and giving rather than substance, service, and sacrifice. Don’t even get me started on the modeling that occurs within Hollywood and those of fame and status.

When you become a leader, you get a whole lot more responsibility. You become partially responsible for those who are following you, or working for you. It’s easy to just get caught up with finishing your task, and forget about serving those you are working with. (Courtesy: Natalie of http://coffeetimewithgod.tumblr.com/)

And I’m determined to learn how to NOT do that. Like Jesus.

“Whenever we have an opportunity or responsibility to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of others, the first choice we are called to make is whether to see the moment through the eyes of self-interest or for the benefit of those we are leading.”

—           Ken Blanchard

What I've learned so far in life

These are the good ol' days.

There's a little exercise I love to do, especially when I'm frustrated and wondering what the heck life is all about....

I close my eyes and imagine that I'm 95 years old now. I really feeeel it. My life has gone by and it's almost over; a photo album, some stories, memories, accomplishments, loved ones. I've gotten used to feeling achy and tired. I spend much of my day just getting up and around. My kids are all grown and aged themselves. Most of my lifetime friends are gone. My parents are dead.

And here I am, looking back, thinking how wonderful it would be if I could go back in time and taste some of it again; maybe do things differently. To be young again, to be healthy and strong again, to have a lifetime of opportunity before me again, to play with my kids or grandkids again while they were still children. To hug my parents and friends again. To say thank you again. To help. To appreciate. To love. What a gift it would be to relive part of my past. I really feel what it's like to be 95 years old now.

And then I say, "Please, God, let me go back in time. Let me be young again and appreciate all I had. Please." And then, when I'm really longing for it and feeling like that life is a dream that will never really come true, and my life is really almost over... I open my eyes.

Try it some time. If you're like me, you'll experience the total blessing of being here, right now.

Ever notice that the good ol' days of our lives are somehow always in the past? I try to remember, despite whatever challenges are facing me, whatever better future is eluding me, that these are probably the times I'll look back on - even if they're hard times - and say, "Wow, what an amazing time that was."

I've also come to believe that the worst and hardest times are often the times of greatest transformation and learning. And when plans don't unfold the way we imagined, when things go terribly wrong, the universe is simply realigning our course. I try to practice acceptance and have faith that it will all turn out somehow.

And when I look back on the worst times and tragedies of my life, I can't help but notice all the blessings that logically resulted, and that things never turn out nearly as badly as I had feared.

So I remind myself never to worry about things I can't control. To worry is to suffer by living in the future. And the future is unpredictable.

Are you hurt now? Have you lost your life savings now? Are you alone now? Or are you perfectly safe, warm, and healthy, imagining a bad thing that might happen tomorrow?

If the bad thing doesn't happen, you will have tormented yourself in vain. And if it does, worrying could not have prevented it anyway. And right now, whatever may be going on, it's all happening in the good ol' days.

Shared by: Chris Balthasar, a financial advisor and consultant.

Feeling inspired today..

I get very excited about the possibilities, and where life will take me and where others can go with their life also. It is a dream come true for me that I am actually able to have the opportunity to help others realize that the sayings are true, nothing is impossible. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. People need to give themselves a better chance at achieving what they really long for. All they need to do is believe it can happen.

What did you want to be when you were younger? I always fantasized of moving to the US and being a doctor or doing something really big with my life. Being able to help the world. Make a difference. But I grew up in a small country town and it just seemed like it was only meant for ‘the lucky ones’ or the people who were already rich. This isn’t actually true. Success in any area, of any industry, comes down to your imagination and your willingness to believe that you can actually make it happen. It’s start with you, why you want to do it, believing it can happen and then making it happen. These are simple questions I have asked myself previously, How do you feel today about where you are, where do you want to be? Where would you prefer to be? Who do you want to be spending time with at this very moment? What would you prefer to be doing today if what you are doing is not your ideal day? What is your family doing? Are they going about their days in their ideal way? If they weren't, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to change that for them if it was possible? Well, it is.

I am not exactly where I want to be right now, but I’m taking steps each day towards bigger goals than what’s happening in the present. It is important to still enjoy the present, but if nothing changes in your day to day life, nothing will change in the future. In 5 years time, do you want to be where you are now? Do you think you will have made progress?

Courtesy: http://kate-martin.tumblr.com/

Find solutions to some of life's difficult problems

      

 We live in troubled times, from personal issues to world crises, economic challenges to challenging relationships. Stress has become a common part of our everyday lives. Some individuals manage to cope and keep things in healthy perspective. For others, these challenges can result in unhealthy reactions like anxiety, depression, and even alcohol abuse. However, it's often hard to judge when normal feelings of worry, fear, and stress cross the line and become a serious condition that impacts both your emotional and physical health. With proper evaluation, anxiety disorders are treatable. Through medication or psychological therapy, or both, they can be brought under control.

     The good news is that there are real solutions to these serious issues. Understanding why someone is anxious, depressed, or abusing alcohol is the first step. Knowing the treatment options—both medical and therapeutic—is critical to resolving these difficult problems. If you have ever suffered from depression or been close to someone who has, you know that this illness cannot be wished away or relieved at will. Depression can have enormous depth and staying power, but there are a variety of medications and treatments that provide real help. A recent study showed that for those who stuck with treatment, depression lifted completely in seven out of 10 people, and others experienced relief of many symptoms. But discovering which treatment options work best requires knowledge and perseverance.