I have found it fascinating to watch how the US elections have played out and how the candidates Romney and Obama are trying to connect and give a message that resonates with the majority of US citizens so they can be voted in as the leader of the United States.
Pleasing the majority in order to win is a difficult and compromising place to be. Is that leadership? It is definitely a model of leadership but probably not one we want to emulate.
Jesus was a very different kind of leader, he wasn't looking to get elected or be popular. He also raised up leaders, disciples or students who learnt quickly that leadership doesn't go hand in hand with popularity or the majority vote. This is the kind of leadership that we need Christian students to live out at the grass roots of student culture.
Jesus style leadership creates lifelong followers rather than twitter followers. It creates a lasting Kingdom culture rather than simply flowing with the current culture. It asks awkward questions that disturbs those focussed on their own gain. It also liberates those who ache for something more and who subconsciously long for an invitation to get to know Christ.
I want to encourage students to embrace more leadership – this nation desperately needs your contribution and one that is centred on Christ. I want to encourage churches to raise up more leaders who are 18-25 and invite you to be part of a learning process that encourages this.
‘We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.’ (Mother Teresa)
Our perspective about our contribution matters. It matters to God, to matters to ourselves and it matters to those who whose lives are enhanced because we play our part. Some see the ‘drop’ as insignificant, others recognise that without the ‘drops’ there would be no ocean. What Mother Teresa is saying with all humility is that our contribution really matters. When all play their part, oceans and rivers are created that bring life and hope.
