Dear friends,
The deadline of the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for next year’s May 2019 Philippine elections was on last October 17, 2018. There are old and new faces who want to become the next leaders of our country.
What does it mean to be a Christian leader? Jesus showed us how to be a great leader. During the last supper, Jesus exemplified the type of leadership that he has shown right from the start – he took off his outer garment, wrapped a towel on his waist, got a basin of water, and started washing his disciples’ feet.
In this imagery of leadership found in John 13:1-17, Jesus is showing us three things:
First, a Christian leader must have humility. Jesus reminds us that as leaders we must be willing to take off our titles, our positions, and the tendency to make ourselves the center of everything.
Are you willing to take off your titles?
Dr. Johnny V. Gumban once said, “By nature man is self-centered, without the love of God we cannot love one another. Relate to people with the Christ within you.” Yes, it is only because of Christ that we can humble ourselves and serve others.
Second, a Christian leader must be service oriented. Jesus wants to instill in our hearts that there is no scarcity of feet to wash.
What does it mean to be service oriented? It is always being ready to say “What can I be of service to?” and then truly mean it. Like our outreach work in the church, institution or organization. Do we do that because of tradition or requirement? Serving others should be part of our life.
Third, a Christian leader must love those whom they are serving. Jesus is teaching us that we cannot choose whom we will serve. A Christian leader must have a heart serve a person irrespective of race, culture or religion.
As Jesus Christ taught us, we must go to any situation with no prejudices but only love for our neighbor.
We have to pray and hope that our next leaders will lead like Jesus.
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on