DO NOT MISPLACE YOUR PRIORITY!

Dearly Beloved, DO NOT MISPLACE YOUR PRIORITY! “And [Jesus Christ] said to [His disciples], ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called “benefactors.” But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves’” (Luke 22:25-26 NKJV). The apostles of Jesus Christ were with Him for over three years. He taught them about the principles of servant-leadership. They even had the privilege of been served by Jesus Christ as He washed their feet - a practice associated with servants in a household. In spite of these, the priority of the apostles was who would be the greatest among them. It is interesting that they were arguing about this on the way to the Gethsemane hours after Jesus Christ demonstrated the true measure of a great leader to them at the upper room (see John 131-17; Luke 22:24). Earlier, two of them, James and John, through their mother, had come to request for a prominent place in Jesus’ kingdom – an act that angered the other disciples (see Matthew 20:20-28). Even, after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the priority of the disciples was still on a kingdom where they might likely have notable positions (see Acts 1:6). Unfortunately, the priority of many people today is how to be recognized as great persons or very important persons (VIP) and been served as such. No wonder, they love to acquire or be given titles and positions where people will be worshipping them. Any one who does not acknowledge these titles and/or positions must have committed an “unpardonable” offence. Most of these people have lost focus of what it really means to be in leadership position. They have misplaced their priority. Worldly leaders may lord it over the people that they lead. They may treat the led as people with less or inferior importance. However, true Christian leaders are servant-leaders who serve the people that they lead. They do not manipulate themselves into or lobby to be in leadership position. They count it a privilege, not a right, to be in leadership position. That is the real priority. What is your priority as a leader? Or what is your priority as you aspire to become a leader? Are you ready to be a servant-leader like Jesus Christ who came not be served but serve others (see Matthew 20:28)? You are not ready to lead until you are ready to serve the people that you are leading. Do not misplace your priority! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will have the spirit of a servant-leader who is ready serve those that you are leading.