The Heart of a Leader

   A young, educated African friend was asked why he did not want to stay in the United States and pursue an easier life and probably make a lot of money.  His response gets to the heart of a leader actively craving being a leader who loves Jesus.  He wanted to use his education to help develop his fellow citizens so that they would have a better life and be drawn to Jesus.  People had been there for him as he was growing up, providing the path for him to become what God made him to be.  Now it was his opportunity provide paths for others.

   What an admirable attitude.  It is so easy to focus simply upon yourself and keep that focus on you, ignoring the needs and circumstances of those around you.  Sometimes we forget that to get where we are pursuing or arrived was not a solo effort.  We have all had people who have made various sacrifices for us to get where we are. 

   Understanding who you are and developing yourself to be the best you can become should be our goals.  Know who you are, how you are put together.  But have a humble, realistic view of yourself as we are challenged in Romans 12:3 - “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”