This fine piece of Biblical advice applies to leaders, friends, and people who are in relationships in general.
And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35 ESV)
The most serious point of contention and usually the only point of contention when there is conflict between yourself and any other individual in the world occurs when one person in the relationship wishes to be placed first. Just think about it. The last time you argued with your significant other or close friend or colleague about something, it is grounded in either he/she didn’t do enough to meet “xyz need” or you didn’t do enough to meet “abc obligation.” As one person was unable to meet such a need or obligation, there was conflict and unrest.
Jesus makes it incredibly simple for all people who want to be awesome leaders, friends, spouses, significant others, or just plain human beings: put yourself last and everybody else ahead of you. This advice goes contrary to what the world teaches you about getting ahead and moving up in the world, but how has that worked out for you any ways? When you put everybody else first and everyone’s needs ahead of your own, and this becomes your discipline, that mindset and attitude becomes infectious. Then what happens is a snowball effect across the people you put ahead of your own self and they start putting you ahead of them. You’re not only an awesome leader when you do this, you are an awesome friend and person and the relationships you are involved in will thrive!
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