‘Christians must live to serve others’
A student at Zomba Theological College wrote a dissertation titled “Leadership that dignifies subordinates”, which was a case study of certain tobacco estates in Malawi.
He came up with qualities of a leader in a democratic society from such as impartiality, honesty, humility, tolerant, accommodative, open mindedness, transparency and accountability. These qualities were guidelines for successful leadership for the estates to produce best tobacco each year. However, the subordinates were keen to have a leader they would dignity with the above qualities, but found none.
God chose Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. The journey was hard for both Moses and the Israelites, but God was with them. Moses as a leader had a personal problem. He wanted to do everything himself. When people came to him for advice or settlement of disputes, they waited for him long hours. He was later advised by his father in-law Jethro to appoint other people to assist him. He took the advice and the situation changed. Leadership by delegation. (Exodus 18:13-27).
People in our societies want God fearing democratic leaders who are impartial, accommodative humble and able to help them. These are leaders in church, workplace, politics and families. As leaders, how do we handle situations/disputes/employees or people who patronize our institutions? Do we know that the positions we hold are not ours, but God’s. God has delegated us to do the work for him. We shall answer to him one day.
God has created man as an individual in his own image, but at the same time as a social being. A man is responsible for his own actions and deeds, but at the same time has a responsibility towards his fellow men. A teacher of the law asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbour?”(Luke 10:29).
Individualism is the attitude of a person who lives by oneself, the man who says: “I am my own boss and nobody is going to tell me anything”. In certain quarters it is considered a virtue when one thinks and decides for oneself, when one dares to stand up against the community. To conform to the wishes of parents, guardians or the community is considered a disgrace.
Who is my neighbour? Although it may be necessary to stand up against the wishes of parents, guardians, fellow workers, Juniors, community, employees, the poor, uneducated and the aged, there is a grave danger here; the danger of selfishness— living for oneself and not wanting to be bothered by other people.
As someone who worships God, what is your relationship with your neighbours? What does our God command us to do towards our neighbour? In trying to answer these questions, we are urged to be kind to the people we live with, work for us and the people we lead.
