What it takes to lead

I have a friend. Her name is Jeanette. She just recently graduated from college last year from Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm. I've known her for about 4 years now (wow, has it been that long??) and I met her because we both work for the same company.

Anyway, we've been pretty decent work friends for these past four years. I think she's a pretty cool person, and I've always wanted to get to know her better, but because she's been so busy with College, RA-ing, work, and other. . .It has been difficult to get to know her better.

And then she graduated. And then work slowed down. So we've gotten to hang out a little bit more, and because of that I've noticed a trend.

She's a great leader. A fantastic leader. People immediately pay attention to her when she speaks. She can light up a room with her contagious laughter. She has SO MANY friends from PBA that I've lost count. She says "BONFIRE FRIDAY" and people jump, with lighter fluid and fire extinguishers in hand. It has been really impressive to watch.

The most interesting encounter happened the other day as I asked her to help me raise money for the World Race. She said yes. And I asked her if she thought her friends would be willing to help too. She said "Totally!" with such enthusiasm that it really surprised me. "I don't have any money Kirsten, but I'm TOTALLY willing to help!"

"That's so cool Jeanette," I remember saying. And I mean it. It's so cool that she's willing to help me. I mean, we're friends and all, but I didn't think that we were good enough friends to merit such enthusiasm.

That's when I started to think about it. . . Jeanette is a great leader because she's willing to follow.

Look at all the references to leadership in modern culture, and you will usually find something along the lines of how, "A Leader should be willing to take charge, to step up and command attention." But if you look at the Bible, it says the exact opposite. All of the great leaders in the Bible were considered great because they were willing to follow God's command. Jesus was the ultimate example of that. He said, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you," (John 13:15) RIGHT after He got done washing the disciple's feet. He set the ultimate example of what a true leader is, and because none of us can ever be greater than our Master, we can only hope to follow close enough in His footsteps that we can point others in that right direction. Our lives are supposed to point to our Leader, Christ, the firstborn of God and firstborn from the dead. We are to follow Him, and in turn, Lead by example so that others may follow us.

Jeanette was completely willing to put her agenda aside to "follow" me, by helping me raise funds. Her friends will do the same, putting aside their agendas to "follow" her. It's like we're playing one big game of "Follow the Leader," where our Leader is Jesus.

I am humbled that Jeanette would be willing to help me, like I should deserve such favor. I can only pray that I can learn from her example.

"I found an alligator on the side of the road and I took it home and fed it to my dog. . ." (That was for you jetty. J )