Watching the inauguration ceremony of the new president of America has inspired a lot of people. One of whom is, Adeolua kinyemi a fellow blogger. After reading his blog today on a prayer for Nigeria leaders, I was inspired and fired up again. Hence this article , the heart of a leader. The heart of a leader is the heart of a servant. A great leader is the one constantly trying to find ways to serve others to alleviate their plight whatever this might be.
This was evident in the life of Martin Luther king and other great leaders that American has had, and the world has known. There are leaders and there are great leaders. what makes leaders great is not the title they have or the position they hold. It is their heart's desire to give of their self the very best for the benefit of others.
In one of MLK'S { Dr king} speeches he said that when he is gone, he doesn't want to be remembered for his noble peace prize, or any other achievement in his lifetime, but that he tried to love someone, to reach out to others...............................It was his heart desire to serve and pour out his life for the benefit of others. With speeches inspiring hope and looking forward to change aimed at alleviating the plight , that the people faced at that time. I have come to realise that, titles are good but testimonies are better! If you have both like Dr king had, thank God . If faced with a choice , choose to have testimonies , be a blessing to others. The heart of a great leader is selfless , loves humanity and is humble.
In the case of president Obama, its not that he went to Harvard, or that he is a great orator, or even that he is president, but his heart's desire to serve others and make a difference in their lives. By trying to alleviate the plight that America faces now. Using his gift of eloquence to inspire hope and change , always saying its not about him but about the people.
My lord Jesus who is the greatest leader now and forever reflected this in His life, He came to alleviate the plight of humanity and offered his life for all . He did this with great humility . If you are a leader and want to have an enduring legacy, serve others. Jesus said on this, if you want to be great in God's kingdom, you have to be the servant of all.
The heart of Great leaders cause them to rise up to the occasion. When God needed someone on behalf of mankind, Jesus said, here i am send me. Martin Luther king answered the call for that particular time in America's history. Obama answered the call for this time in history. Now there is a call for change in NIGERIA. Will you answer the call?
So, as many as want to cause change in Nigeria and the lives of Nigerians think "service" with humility. To be a ""servant of all "'requires humility. In Nigeria the leaders are not public servants, which they should be. Instead they are _____________my fellow Nigerians can fill in the blanks. Not all everyone is born to be a leader or has the heart of a great leader, but we can all do something to be a blessing to others. Lets all have the best interest of others at heart bearing in mind we are all going to leave someday and return to our maker.
If you have the heart of a leader make your life count answer the call. Use your natural talents and gifts to cause positive change, If you are a teacher, a writer an orator, a preacher whatever platform you have use it. God that sees and knows the heart of all men will guide your steps.. Nigeria needs you!
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Rule 1 excerpts from 12 Rules for Life
8 months ago
nice one sis..xoxo Blessing
ReplyDeleteSister, you have definately been bitten by the bug of change and hope provoked by President Obama, encouraged by Deolu Akinyemi, with his post ,God,please give us leaders on http://www.deoluakinyemi.com and inspired by God to cause a true change in all of us!The Change we desire starts from within and the actions we take will make it a reality! John Maxwell, a leadership expert and author/Pastor said "people dont want to know how much you know, until they know how much you care"! Indeed any one that must first be a leader must first serve, that was why Jesus Christ could wash the feet of the disciples! without service, leadership is meaningless, as a true leader must have the heart to serve the people!God bless you greatly for this timely and inspired piece!
ReplyDeleteAmenze,
ReplyDeleteYou are correct with what the heart of the leader is all about- service! However, even though we must brighten the corner wherever we find ourselves, the real issue of leadership should be taken to the Churches in Africa mainly Nigeria, and of African Origin outside Africa. You cannot talk about the problems of the black man and not talk about Nigeria. 1 out of every 4 blackman on earth is a Nigerian!
Take a classical example, the white missionaries who came to Africa to give us the Bible and good education (which is the best legacy you can give to anyone)did so out ofa selfless heart. It was leadership personified as the missionaries gave their all and their best for the black man (Africa/Nigeria). What do you have now? The generations after Awolowo, Zik and Ahmadu used political power to nationalise the missionary schools. Where was the church then? This is not to blame any church or individual in particular. Now the real issue - The amount the missionaries had to do the great work in Nigeria was a mere pittance that is available to a lot of churches today. You would expect that today's churches in Nigeria would give free and qualitative education (even if only to their members), but it is not so. The reason i am discussing this is if you read the New Testament very well, the Church is supposed to be the SALT, the LIGHT of the world, and the society is always a reflection of the state of the church (talking about the Body of Christ) in any region, state, country, continent etc). We should leave the Politicians in Africa alone for sometime and concentrate on the Church (the leadership and its members) to be selfless indeed!
A very good example of what 1 Nigeran in a position of leadership in the church can do is PASTOR SUNDAY ADELAJA. Please google search this man of God and see true leadsership in contemporary times in action! I have never met him but what i have read about him (written by people from Ukraine where he ministers) is incredible! It is so serious that even his church, because of its practical, selfless Christian based approach is a threat to the Government of the day in Ukraine! Matthew 25:31-46 says it all. Another good illustration is the Late Gani Fawehinmi. If you had read the long list of the people from all kinds of backgrounds he gave education and succour to, you will be humbled as a Christian that the Church of God in Nigeria has to repent!!!
The way out is to start discussing with all the church leaders (perhaps they will hear, perhaps not because worldliness has crept into the church) but let us do this backed with prayers and trust God. Except we start the battle at the Church -to do the right thing at he top (selflessness, service, practical, apostolic, bible based Christianity, we cannot win the war with the Politicians.
The Lord bless you
Joseph