World Changer in 4 months?

Today I turned 21.  21?!  Yes, I can now legally consume and possess alcohol.  But, what is really amazing is reflecting on my past, and the person that I have become.  Growing up it never seemed that I changed very much from year to year.  When I was 14 I felt like the same person I was at 6, and 18 felt the same as 15.   But now, I’m really noticing major differences.  I’m realizing how much I have actually learned about life and faith.  I now have wisdom that I wouldn’t trade for anything.  But most importantly I have drawn closer to my creator and Savior.  I’m starting to understand my faith in a deeper way, and am able to talk about it with others.

Something else happened today – I learned of a family in Texas who unexpectedly lost their little 4 month old daughter.  As I read through their blog and the many comments of lives who had been touched by her death, I sat in shock and wonder.  I wondered how such a tragic thing could happen, and how someone who only lived four months could make such a tremendous impact??  Which got me thinking, I’m 21 years old, I have lived 20 years and 8 months longer than that little girl, but what kind of impact would my death leave?  If I put my heart to it, what kind of impact could I make in the next 4 months?  What kind of mark can I leave at my school, my work, my church, and the world in just four short months? And, how do I even measure this.  I want to live for Jesus Christ.  I want others to come and know him, and I think that time is running out.  I need to live with a sense of urgency, as if four months is all I have left.  I need to try, but I know that I can do nothing in my own strength…I can only do great things through Him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13- “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”  Lord, please give me the strength to live for you, and make an impact...

Called to be a Follower?

I’ve been meaning to start a blog for quite some time, because it seems that I always have so much on my mind.  But, I guess I just haven’t had the motivation, since I have to write for all of my classes.  Well, it’s time to stop being lazy and write. I hope that someone out there in the World Wide Web will find meaning and usefulness from this.

I had an interesting conversation with my friend today.  We were talking about leadership and calling.  Can people be called to follow, or is everyone called to be a leader.  First we should define what a leader is.  According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, to lead is:

·         to guide in direction, course, action, opinion, etc.

·         to influence or induce; cause

·         to conduct by holding and guiding

·         to go before or with to show the way; conduct or escort

·         to act as a guide; show the way

·         to go first; be in advance

Many think a leader is someone who holds a position of authority and tells people what to do.  I don’t think this is true. I think that someone can be a leader without giving marching orders.  Someone at the “bottom” can lead.  According to the above definition, leading is not commanding, but influencing, guiding, and showing the way – which can be done by anyone. 

As a Christian, I am called to follow Christ.  But, I am also called to lead by example, and ‘show the way’ to truth in Christ.  I believe that if someone is constantly following (people), they are not standing up for their beliefs.  Because there is no way they are going to agree with everything other so called “leaders” say.  I think that standing up for truth is a form of leadership.  Leadership can and should be done through serving.  You don’t have to be a CEO at a major corporation, or the President of the United States to lead.  You can work at a minimum wage fast food job and still be a leader, through servant leadership.  Leadership is about living with integrity, and setting a positive example for those around you. 

What to do you think, can people be called to just follow?