Servant or Leader?

I was thinking today about how much I like to be a leader. I do not really mean in the spiritual sense, but in a literal sense. Whenever I play a sport, I like to be the one who people look to, I like to be the one that people can trust, and the one who can come up big when needed. As I sit here and think about it, I find that I tend to lead by example more than by being vocal. I show people how to act versus telling them how to act if that makes any sense. For example as a high school baseball player, I tried to show up as early as possible and prepare the field for practice, I stayed late and I put in time before and after practice fielding and hitting. I always tried to be there when coach needed help or when a younger player needed something because I knew how much it meant to them if I could just show them that someone is willing to put in the time because they are good people, not because they are forced to. I think at times that being a servant and setting a good example is a good way of leading. I was unofficially the captain of my team, but when something needed to be done, I was always there, willing to put in the time to make it work. If we needed to call a meeting of players, it was usually my idea and I knew who I could rely on in order to put it together. It is not a position or a title that makes someone a leader or a servant, it is the qualities they possess that truly show who they are and what they can do. I believe that leaders are called to be servants and if you are a leader who does not serve, then you are not doing your job. Sacrificing a little bit so that others can benefit is what it is really all about.

Mark 9:35 states, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." This pretty much is saying that our greatest rewards will come if we put others before us and serve others all the time. Sure there is a time when we need to take care of ourselves but there are so many people that need help (friends included) and we choose to just take care of ourselves. I am not trying to boast but I think if you asked some of my friends, they would say I am pretty good at putting them and others first, sometimes I just get myself too busy and cannot take care of everyone's needs all at once. It is a great experience to know that you are helping others out and putting them first and it is very humbling because it shows you how much you really need to focus on yourself in order to still grow. I think we grow from helping others as well, however, we should not neglect ourselves completely, otherwise we are not getting our wisdom from God and following his plan. In regards to putting others first, I remember a verse found in Hebrews from my bible quiz days. Hebrews 2:9 states, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone." I did some research and found that by saying he was made a little lower than the angels means that because angels cannot die and Jesus was fully human and fully God, he was still able to die because he needed to taste death for everyone. Because of the fact he was able to die, he was made a little lower than the angels. This is actually a very humbling experience for Jesus because even though he was superior to the angels, he was made a little lower than them because he knew that he had to be a servant to the world and to his father. What a great way to look at the Son and see that he chose to be made lower than people he was "better" than because he knew it was right. Jesus was a leader who led by being a servant. I hope that I can continue to be a blessing and a servant to others and I can continue to grow as a servant and not just be content with where I am at. What do you want to be remembered as? A leader or a leader who was a servant?

Some things to ponder, "1. Why do people elevate leaders so much? Can the same be said of servants? Why or why not? 2. Name one of the greatest modern-day servants. Name a servant in the world of sports. What makes them special? 3. What is one way that you can put the needs of others before your own?" 

Continue to seek and grow. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact me. Hope everyone had a great monday and let me know if there is anything you need. 

God Bless,

Joseph Robinson