humility and the shift from success to significance...

Today I had the joy of meeting with three students that will be coming to John Wesley College next year.

I always find such meetings to be exciting and humbling. Such occasions excite me because I love meeting new people! I have a sense of naivete that always tends to see the best in people, seeing something of their giftedness and the blessing that they will be to our community! These occasions are also incredibly humbling, perhaps for a similar reason. These are such gifted and committed people! They have skills, abilities and passion that could make them so very successful if they should ever choose to follow a secular career path.

They are adept at business, they have a wealth of life experience, they are gifted musicians, and most importantly they are deeply committed and spiritual people! Of course not everyone is like this. I can assure you that I have my fair share of disappointment and struggle with students who are less than scrupulous, lacking what is required to lead persons to heal and transform society.

Those gifted persons who give up so much often tell similar stories. They speak of the realization that success can never compensate for the need to be involved in something significant!

I am also humbled by the fact that these persons come with skill and experience that far outweigh mine! Partnership, sharing and mutual responsibility! These are the things that enrich the community. I hope that my style of leadership is one that seeks to empower, to bring out the best in my colleagues, that allows gifts and abilities to thrive and shine through.

I wonder what it must have been like for the disciples whose feet were washed by Jesus? God humbly blessing the unworthy.

Sometimes it is wonderful to be so young in such a responsible position, many times I just feel unworthy...