The definition of leadership as humans define it is: Someone in charge, Dominant person in a group, Boss.

The Bible changes the perspective on “being the greatest” from being in a high position to becoming a good servant. Being a great human does not necessarily mean having an important function, but rather serving others.

An example is Jesus (talking to the disciples): “But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:43-45

If the Greatest Leader became a servant for us, the “insignificant”, what makes us believe that for becoming a leader we should lead many people or have many followers?

Last week, we were talking at the university about the fact that the leader is not the manager or the team’s boss, maybe most of the times it’s exactly the opposite. A leader can be someone from your team, someone like you, someone of a smaller status than you, or it can be you. We were also discussing that being a leader does not mean having extraordinary CONTROL abilities, or abilities that are found once in a million. This is just an excuse we use because we are too lazy to get out of our comfort zone. We could all be leaders right there where we are, becoming examples, and helping those around us to find their self-worth and become leaders, themselves.

And yet, I invite you to read from Matthew 23:10-12: “Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

When will we stop looking upon becoming a leader as humans define the term, and start living a dedicated life, the life of a servant, as the Bible defines the word “leader”, serving those around us?

According to the above text, humbleness appears. And for the fruits of the Holy Spirit to be perceived in us, I think we must be humble. Let’s read Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance […]”

How can I have love for those around me if I see myself first each time?

How can I have joy if I don’t share it?

How can I have peace if there is jealousy, pride, greed and hatred in my soul?

How can I have long patience if I always consider that my time is more valuable than the other person’s, so I always state my point of view but never shut up to listen? We’ve been given one mouth and two ears.

How can I show kindness when I always do what’s best for me, not thinking of others?

Who can benefit from this?

Am I faithful to God by doing so?

Am I gentle if I always react to every small thing?

How do I curb my cravings if everything I do, I do for myself, so that I can be happy and fulfilled?

So, a leader is a humble servant. Jesus is the best example; you don’t need any other example.

Why should we SERVE like Jesus? We always say that we want to become lights where we are, and we pray for it. If we are only saying it, it can’t happen. Someone once said: “If you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room.”

The motivation of serving like Jesus is living a life by His heart, being lights. It’s the way we can be grateful for what He has done for us.

Do you have an example of an extraordinary human in your mind, someone contemporary? Let me tell you something: the person you are thinking of IS NOT a stronger example than Jesus and what He has done for us, and this is why we should be humble, with our heads bowed, because He likes this kind of people.

We have so many anti-examples even in Romania. Let’s change the culture. And the change can only be made by changing the way I live starting from today on…starting from now on. Our future world will be a mirror reflection of the way we continue to live starting from today on. That’s the mark you are leaving.

Leadership means not changing the world at once, it starts with where we are, doing small steps. It doesn't mean that we should do some things that are going to be remembered over the years, but rather that would have had a huge impact on someone’s life.

Also, being thankful towards the people that made a difference in our lives should be a must.

"The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things." - Ronald Reagan

"His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant;" - Matthew 25:23. He will call us servants, not leaders, not chiefs, not bosses.