I’ve been reflecting on the meaning of leadership. Certainly people entrusted with key positions in government are expected to be leaders. But there are many who can be strong leaders in ways that may not get much notoriety. Teachers, parents and clergy come to mind.

In this issue our featured article, Follow the Leader, deals with the subject.

Feature Article: Follow the Leader
In The Spotlight: Presidents Day Prayer Vigil
Daily Thoughts: Perfect Relationship
Prayer & Sharing Requests
Quotable: Adventure in Forgiveness

“Leaders must not be led by anger or other overwhelming passions, nor by deep feelings beyond their rights and faith” – William Penn

“Leadership is getting someone to do what they don't want to do, to achieve what they want to achieve.” – Tom Landry

“Don’t follow leaders, watch the parking meters.” — Bob Dylan (Subterranean Homesick Blues)

Good and effective leadership is something most people consider important.

We all want a government that is fair and capable and that requires those in roles of governing to be able to lead.

In the military matters of life and death are everyday occurrences and without leaders there can be disaster.

Sports tout the importance of leadership, too. You have coaches, managers and team captains.

I wonder, however, if our society’s obsession with celebrity clouds our judgment when evaluating leaders. Who are the best leaders? Are they the smartest, best looking and most charismatic?

Not everyone can be in charge, but decisiveness is a quality we look for in a leader. No one is right in every decision, but we certainly hope our leaders make wise choices. We all can’t get everything we want, but good leaders in positions of power can make a difference in looking out for the common good of all people.

Maybe the greatest characteristic is the willingness to do for others. Servant leadership is a word that gets bantered about, but how many truly understand it? It also seems like an oxymoron. Leaders are in charge; servants obey.

Any true leader knows that being of service is part of the job, whether in the boardroom or living room. Putting others' needs before one's own requires sacrifice and humility. Most would agree these are good qualities in any individual, especially leaders. Without such qualities leaders are self-centered at best and tyrannical at worst.

President George W. Bush certainly needs prayers and guidance. There is a web site specifically dedicated to praying for the president that you might want to visit. Go to the Presidential Prayer Team site and learn more about the prayer vigil they've organized.

We as followers of Jesus are to be looking for ways to meet the needs of others, looking for ways to make others look good, and helping them succeed. Now you may be thinking, “If I do that, what happens to my needs, to my desires and my dreams?” You’re missing the point; you are only seeing part of the picture. While you are busy helping others discover and become who they were created to be, they will be busy helping you and others to become what they were created to be. The Christian life was never meant to be about you getting what you want on your own, but about you helping others get what they want and becoming who God created them to be. They in turn are helping you get what you want and becoming what God created you to be. It is a symbiotic relationship with each one giving to the other what the other needs to be healthy, happy and being who God created them to be.

That is the picture Jesus is painting here. He never promoted Himself; He promoted the Father and the Holy Spirit. And they promoted Him.

Who are you in relationship with right now? What can you start doing today to promote and help them? How can you make them look good? Go do it. And here’s an interesting little secret, as you do this they will see what you are doing, they will appreciate it, and they will in turn do the same for you. So don’t be afraid that by helping others become what God created them to be and living their dreams that you will be left out. Just the opposite is true.