First Class
I have had the privilege of traveling first class for many years due to 20 years of working in healthcare and traveling almost every week by plane. I have been to every state in the US and many foreign countries, and much of that travel was first class because I racked up over a million miles on one airline and got free upgrades. I am not telling you this to impress you. I am simply stating the fact that I know first hand what it means to go first class…and I like it! LOL.
Who doesn’t want to be treated like royalty? Let’s face it, we all like to be served and treated with special privilege. However, as a Christian, being served is not our calling. The Bible actually says that the last shall be first and the first shall be last. We are called to serve God and serve one another. It is a far cry from what most people think when they think of being successful and enjoying the fruit of their labors. I am not demeaning that either, by the way. I have no problem with seeing people enjoy the fruit of their labors, but it is a matter of perspective and priority.
Here is my challenge to you: learn the art of servant leadership. You may think that you are not a leader, but that is not true. We are all called to lead in some form or fashion. We might lead a family, our kids, our community, our organization, a small group, or wherever God puts us, but we will have the opportunity to lead at some point in our lives. The best leaders I know understand servant leadership and that it is not all about them. They practice humility, encouraging others, collaborating, and empowering people.
The school I work at has a motto: “Others before self.” I like that. It is pretty cool that one of my core beliefs is actually the motto of my school. It isn’t always easy to have a servant’s heart. Pride is an issue for most people to deal with when they lead. I think that people who have a lot of money often struggle with this concept because let’s face it, having money is a form of power and influence and can be a source of great pride and feeling we are in control.
I would encourage you to think about how God wants you to serve. How good a steward are you with what God has entrusted to you? Are you using your gifts, talents, and resources for Him and in serve to others, or is it all about you? It may be something small or something grand that God calls you to do. Whatever it is, just do it! That is indeed when you will learn to travel first class God’s way…when you become a servant leader.
P.S. We love best when we learn to serve.
Shalom!
Daniel Skognes
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