Dear Beloved, This year is an election year in Nigeria. The election is unique because it will usher in new set of people as leaders of the nation. It will be the first real civilian-to-civilian transition that the forty-six-year old nation will experience. The elections suppose to hold on April 14 and 19 of this year, but the certainty that it would be held in those days is very slim. The government is resolved to go ahead with the elections; the opposition parties are not happy, as some of their key candidates have been disqualified. In fact, some of them have gone to court to stop the holding of the elections. This made me to decide to resend the message below that I sent in April 2003 when similar elections were held instead of the message I have prepared for the week, and especially to solicit for your prayers for Nigeria during this transition period: A LEADER OR A SERVANT? "If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants" (1 Kings 12:7, NIV). "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:42-45, NIV). Another general election in Nigeria is around the corner. Many people are aspiring to political leadership positions. The incumbents have adopted the sit-tight syndrome. Others are scheming to take their positions. Most of the incumbents cannot sleep with their two eyes closed now because they did not serve the people they claim they are leading. Will the new ones also serve them if they are elected? That is the question we are asking ourselves, as we want to go to the poll. Rehoboam son of Solomon found himself in a similar situation after the death of his father. He wanted to succeed his father as the king of Israel. The people told him their problem during the reign of his father, and ask him about what they should expect during his reign. It was like asking for his manifesto. He went to the elders that used to advise his father. They gave him fine advice that any person that wants to be a leader today has to think of: "If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants" (1 Kings 12:7, NIV). In other words, if you want to lead people, be prepare to serve them. The people in turn will become your servants. Jesus Christ also gave the same principle in Mark 10:42-45: if you want to be a leader, first be the servant of the people you want to lead. Then you will be seen as a good leader. Jesus Christ did not only teach this, He also demonstrated it by “taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2: 7) in coming to this world not come to be served, but to serve other people. Rehoboam did not heed to the advice of the elders, and it cost him the most part of the kingdom. Jesus Christ heeded to the advice, and He is given the Name above all names (Philippians 2: 6-11). It is not bad to aspire to become a leader. However, are you aspiring to serve the people or to lead them (lord it over them)? If you will be a good leader, first be the servant of your people. Our call as leader is servant-leadership. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). SPECIAL APPEAL - Please pray for Nigeria, as we are about to elect new leaders. - Pray for free and fair elections. - Pray that this civilian-to-civilian transition will be a success. - Pray against any form of violence before, during and after the elections. - Pray for the absolute will of God to be done. _________________________ Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). +234 805 515 9591 http://www.afolabayo.org/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/ "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN" (Philippians 1:20-21, NIV). _________________________________________________ FindLaw - Free Case Law, Jobs, Library, Community http://www.FindLaw.com Get your FREE @JUSTICE.COM email! http://mail.Justice.com