To the
elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings
and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under
your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are
willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not
lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And
when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will
never fade away.
(I Peter 5:1-4)
Most
of us want to "grow up" someday to do something important,
to lead others, to do good in our society, to have significance in some way.
Even if you're 99, chances are good, there's something in you that longs to
leave a legacy or to matter to others. Some people think that being a leader in
the secular realm is or should be somehow different from leading in the Church.
Of course, there are some differences, but if you long to be a leader, or find a
leader, here are some qualifications to consider.
A leader shepherds his followers. He
guides them, sees to their needs and protects them. He sees them as belonging
to him even when they are doing something stupid. They keep track of what is going
on and makes sure that what needs to happen happens not as a slave, but as
someone who chooses to care. A good leader is not greedy and not power-hunger
or domineering. They live as an example to those who follow them.
No
leader is perfect but these are not instructions for others. They are instructions for us not only
as we consider who our leaders are, or will be, but also as we go through our
lives, because we are all called to be leaders in some way...as parents, siblings,
citizens, teachers, friends, caretakers....
If you want to make a difference, here are some first steps.
Comments
Post a Comment