“For the Son of man did not come to be served but to serve” – Jesus Christ
On May 30 2007, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua became the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In his very first speech, he introduced a most poignant concept. He labelled himself a “Servant Leader”. (As far as many public office holders in Nigeria are concerned, that is a contradiction. A leader cannot be a servant. How can?) Sadly, President Yar’Adua was besieged by ill-health and died in office. But not before earning the monicker of “baba go-slow”. Hence, we are unable to fully assess his commitment to the concept of servant leadership.
Robert Greenleaf is credited as being the one to coin the term “servant leader” even as it is widely accepted that it’s principles and practice have existed since antiquity. A wise I know regularly says to me (via the signature in his email) that, “when a man is wrapped up in himself, he makes a very small package”. Life must be more the you. Today, in this Christmas season, I challenge you to serve.
Serve your community. Serve your family. Serve your friends. Serve in your church. Serve wherever you find yourself. Remember that what we weave in time, we will wear in eternity. The greatest man that has ever lived, lived a life of service. As we remember His birth, let’s not forget why He came.
Wish you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year ahead.
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