Every organization has someone at the top, even if you’re governed by a “board” there is a chairman of the board. Even if not by title, there is someone who is the “Alpha Dog” who, either by force or simply by charisma, leads people to do things.
It’s important not to misuse that position, and it’s a huge mistake to try to use that kind of influence when you don’t have it.
I was driving down the road yesterday and a Toyota Prius in the lane next to me turned on their blinker to come over. Usually, I would not even give it a second thought. I drive a 2004 Ford F-150 4-door 4×4 truck. A Prius would be something akin to a speed bump.
What was different about yesterday? Well, I also drive a motorcycle (2002 Triumph Bonneville America). Yesterday I was driving my motorcycle. Had the Prius come one over, and I not yielded, the speed-bump role would have been reversed.
Jesus called them together and said, “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.”
-Matt 20:25-28
The real sign of a leader is his/her ability to serve. Don’t seek to be the “Alpha Dog” by force, but by love. We should not think that we are greater than we are. Don’t go around with the midset of an F-150 when in reality you’re a motorcycle.
…Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought…
-Rom 12:3
In stead, we should actually think of other people as better than ourselves. I know, that sounds wrong. We prize so called “self-esteem” in our culture. We teach people that they are “good enough, smart enough, and doggoneit people like you,” then we’re surprised when they grow up to be self-centered jerks.
None of us is good, not a single one of us. We each should take the position that we are willing to treat everyone around us with respect and serve them. The Christian life has nothing to do with what those around you deserve, it has everything to do with what YOU disprove. Regardless of what the people in your immediate sphere have earned, you’ve earned death yet have been offered the freedom of Christ. Out of sheer gratitude you should serve those around you, that’s what Jesus did, should you assume a position higher than the one he assumed on this earth?
Remember that we all have influence, use it wisely, use it like Jesus and for him.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
-Phil 2:3-4
