Service and Leadership

I haven't had the chance to write this week because it has been SO busy!!! I've had work, had a group of guys over for fellowship the one night, I had to write an essay for school, and it has just been crazy. Thankfully, it has been a great week! Even though it was a little stressful, I thank God for how well it has been going. To Him be the glory.
I still wanted to share something for the week so I had an idea. For school I had to write an essay for an honor society banquet that is tonight, and I (along with 3 others) will be reading what I have written. There was a mix up of who was writing about which of the four categories, and I ended up writing a second essay. My second one was definitely better because I had a little help from my good friend and teacher, Mrs. Heitner. I shared the second one first, which is on service, and then decided I might as well share my leadership essay also. I hope you enjoy them. I hope you are having a blessed week! If you would like to contact me or sign up for my newsletter, I love the interaction. Also, if you are a blogger like me, I would definitely love to hear your suggestions and thoughts on my site and I would definitely love to check out your site also. Again, have a wonderful week, and remember to thank God for your blessings.
-Michael Jaymes

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Service
November 2016 invited me to partner with six other men to share the good news of Jesus Christ in Jamaica. In Pennsylvania, the month of November yields its bold and vivid colors of fall. Jamaica’s November consisted of torrents of rain and sticky humidity. The contrast of the two places was overwhelming. The mission I was a part of was to mainly help run VBS. I also wrote a skit that was performed several times in front of schools and churches. The whole goal of the week was to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

My fondest memory was going to Mount Vernon Church. It was a small, church building maxed out around fifty people.  The sound of the Jamaican’s worship was rich with enthusiasm and praise. After singing, I recognized how thick the humidity hung in the air. Sitting in the wooden chair, my skin felt damp from the water in the air causing my attention to sway from the speaker. It’s humbling to see through the distractions how they still choose to praise God.

In that church service, I was given the chance to share my testimony to the church. It was the first time I ever gave my testimony in front of a crowd. With shaky legs, but a confident heart I was able to speak in front of people that are older than me. God used me in spite of my fear.

At the end of the service I handed out new Bibles to the congregation to keep. In addition to the Bibles, children received hand-made dolls and candy. Watching their faces as I taught them several games and songs will be forever etched in my thoughts. Their smiles and laughter welcomed me into their world. It gave me a place, a sort of belonging. I wished I had more to give them, seeing how little they had. The time with the kids and adults helped me recognize that there is more to this life than giving gifts that are physical.  Our service was intended to give them hope in life, but what wasn’t expected was the overpowering sense of their joy, love, and kindness towards me and my team.

Acts 20:35 says, ”In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

​Service isn’t a term easily defined by the dictionary because it excludes personal experiences, character traits, and individual, spiritual gifts. It is the call of every believer to deny oneself and obey the command of humble service. A Christian servant is something I long to be. I strive to follow after the steps of my Lord, for He is the great example of true service. We all know what a servant is by definition, but living out what we believe in that God has designed us to do is where the true test stands. Choosing Christ before ourselves is a lifestyle we are obligated to carry out and be willing to live by.

​Jesus says Himself in Luke 9:23, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Being a servant comes first by being a follower. We, students need to make a stand for this in our lives. I hope and pray that we can live out the example of a servant that Christ gives us. Whether we are in school helping at the senior stand, at home being an example to our siblings, or at work showing the light of Christ in our attitude, our motivation is to glorify the name of Jesus Christ through our service.
 

Leadership
When I think of leadership a few roles come to mind. I think of a husband and father; he is a leader to his wife and children at home. I think of a boss or manager, who leads employees at how they want work to be done. I think of how children look up to an older sibling or friend. I think of how Jesus was a leader to his twelve disciples. In all of these scenarios, there is a leader and a follower.

Leadership is a character trait that should be a part of my life as a Christian, but leadership comes with submission. In the Christian life, leadership comes after following Christ. I choose daily if I will follow God’s ways or my own. When I choose my own ways, I am more of a follower of the world than a leader for God. I want to remember I am being watched by others. I want to let my Savior’s love show in my daily walk.

​As my life shapes more and more like Christ’s, I will become more of a Christian leader to others. Jesus put it this way speaking to His disciples in Mark 10:43-45 “But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave[e] of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Leadership comes with motivation. My motivation is in Christ. My goal is to take on the challenge of living a life for God instead of myself. This challenge is not an easy one, but it brings glory to my King. As a Christian, the role of a leader is service to Christ. Christian leadership is not just living a “good” life; Christian leadership starts with giving my life to Christ. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” Christian leadership is being a servant for Christ and living it out for others to see. Christ was a leader by being a servant. He is the model of my life and I want to live after His way. I have the choice of leading others to the cross or leading them astray. Whether I realize it or not, I am always being watched. I want to be a role model for Christ to bring His father glory.

Leadership is a heart choice. As a servant to God, I hope my actions are straight and pure to those around me. I pray that others around me will also take up the challenge of being a leader for God’s glory. Together we will be Christian leaders by being servants for His glory.

​Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”