It was the time of the school year when elections were held for school student offices. Jon had been absent. I don’t remember what the ailment was, but he missed a couple of weeks of school. Therefore, he missed the opportunity to file for Student Body President. I’m not sure he ever meant to do so, but some of the students thought he should have.
Those who thought that way, found out that a Write-in Candidate was a legal option. They began campaigning for Jon, encouraging everyone to vote for Jon as a Write-in Candidate for Student Body President. Jon was tall, handsome, strong, respected and, honestly, a good person for the office. The campaign gained momentum. It seemed like that was the only thing everyone was talking about.
I had never seen a Write-in Candidate win, but Jon did. He was a good choice, but the power and popularity of being elected in that fashion didn’t spoil him like it could have. Instead, it gave him the confidence he needed to do a really great job as our president.
Sometimes, popularity can go to a person’s head and they begin to think of themselves as somebody special. When that happens, it tends to spoil them. People who think of themselves as God’s gift to others are usually not good for anything. They begin to repel instead of attract people. Others begin to avoid them instead of following them.
I once saw a baseball style cap that had two bills on it. The two bills pointed off in opposite 45 degree angles, instead of straight ahead. The hat had a caption on it that read: “Which way did they go? I’m their leader!.” If you think you are the leader, you need to check and make sure that others are following. If no one is following you, you may think you’re leading, but you are not.
Jesus taught us to be humble about our positions, in Luke 14:811 he said, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Yes, some of us have leadership skills that others don’t seem to have. Just remember, that some who have shown great leadership abilities didn’t start out seeking to be leaders. Many of them were just found in situations where someone needed to step up to the task. No one else did, so they did – almost forced into the position.
Jon didn’t really seek the position of Student Body President. We elected him – forced him into it. He took it, assumed responsibility and did a great job. You may not have aspirations to lead – that doesn’t mean you can’t. If you find yourself placed there, or called there, do the best you can. You may end up doing a better job than you ever dreamed you could.
– Just a Thought Dale Fillmore is lead pastor at New Day Church.
