Each of Us Is Chosen To Lead (But Each In Our Own Way)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. – Philippians 2:3

There goes my people. I must follow them, for I am their leader. ― Mahatma Gandhi

I believe everyone has a secret desire to lead something. It could be a sports team, it could be running your own business. It could be leading a parish, either as a religious, or in a lay role. The key is, when you are handed that opportunity, what do you do?

From the news site, “Governing”:

“The Candidate,” Michael Ritchie’s classic movie about politics, is famous for its very last line of dialogue. Bill McKay, a novice who has just won an improbable victory for the U.S. Senate, turns dazedly to his campaign manager and asks, “What do we do now?”

What to do, indeed? If you’ve seen the movie, “Gandhi”, you recall he was a legal professional, but in South Africa, where he worked, he was discriminated again because he was from India. Gandhi had been content to practice law, but after being thrown off a train, and demanding to be reboarded, his attitude changed, as did his direction. His entire direction in life propelled Gandhi to leadership.

We likely will not experience this type of confrontation requiring a change in our lives, but the Lord presents opportunities every day to lead others by leading ourselves into an area of service, a role in providing feedback and guidance to our pastor and parish staff, to seek out donors for a food pantry, to listen and lead our young people who, sadly, have few leaders to emulate.

Christ chose his disciples; indeed, they did not choose him. When they were sent to preach the Good News to the world, they had been trained not only to preach, but to teach, to heal, and to lead by listening.

Our Church, indeed, our country, is in serious need of those who, watching so many of our fellow Catholic, our fellow countrymen moving on an unsure path, can step up and say “follow me”, as Christ did.

Are you ready to step up? The Lord awaits your request for guidance. You’ll know what to do.