Daily Devotional: Wednesday, August 14 - Serve To Lead

“Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:43-45

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There’s no denying ambition and the goal of leadership is strong in today’s competitive world. Athletes strive to reach the top teams and trophies, coaches envision themselves leading programs, and interns dream of full-time roles. This drive to excel extends beyond the field — we all yearn to make a positive impact through leadership, but don’t always consider serving others as a form of leadership.

In Mark 10, James and John wanted Jesus to share His glory, so they asked to sit at His right and left hand. Jesus responded to them by explaining that it is more important to seek opportunities for humble service rather than position and power.

Great leaders inspire and empower others. They spark creativity, vision and integrity, guiding everyone toward a shared goal. Christian servant-leaders can take this a step further. They should see their leadership as a way to serve God by investing in the people around them. This creates a team that works together to achieve goals that ultimately glorify God. Respect, care and a focus on the greater good become the cornerstones of their approach.

No matter your role — teammate, competitor, broadcaster or even bystander — you can embrace servant leadership. By prioritizing the needs of others and taking action to serve them, you become a powerful reflection of God’s love.

— Elizabeth Donnelly

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