I’m back to interviewing people again and it is continuously humbling to meet so many humans who are more experienced and smarter than me. Each candidate has his or her own super strengths, and usually if they’ve made it through the resume filters they’re likely qualified and capable of doing the job. The end result though is that only one will be chosen and receive the job title, a specific authority in the organization where I work.
While the title is necessary to reflect the role, within our organization titles are really not that important. We’re a USA-based manufacturing company where people roll up their sleeves and get the job done. My favorite leaders are the ones who humbly and generously invest in others to become better leaders, listen, guide and ultimately influence (rather than “boss”). They’re the kind of people who you lead in the same way regardless of their title or the situation.
Just like Jesus
One of my favorite scriptures is Matthew 7:28-29. Jesus just finished the greatest sermon of all time and the response was chilling. I want to be this kind of leader, no apparent title, but cutting to the heart through words and action.
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29)
On Earth, Jesus didn’t walk around showing off some fancy title. He led. Greater than any leader before or after him, he led by example. Loving, building relationships, healing, giving, spending time with the dirtiest and most shameful humans so that we may be saved.
This man Jesus volunteered his life for us and then was raised from the dead. There is proof of his existence and regardless of what anyone says, it is undeniable that 2000 years ago, something happened that ignited a fire that still burns today.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. (Acts 5:30)
In addition to teaching as one who had authority, he had (has) all authority, he has a title. The very next verse articulates Jesus’ title as relevant to our lives: Prince and Savior
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. (Acts 5:31)
While God gave him the title and put him at his right hand, we must also choose. Note the 2nd half of Acts 5:31. We learn the title, but he has this authority for a reason. We have free will to choose; the things of this world that we allow to control us, consumption, power, or wealth – or we choose to put Jesus in his rightful place today, for the sake of our eternity. As we make him the Prince (leader) of our lives, as we repent, he in turn forgives and becomes our Savior.