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The Best Leader Is The Best Follower

I have decided to follow Jesus.

Charlie Katherine Berckman

Sep 06, 2016

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

http://www.principiosespirituales.com

I will be the first to tell you, I hate being in charge. I don't like people looking to me for the answers, or waiting for me to tell them what to do. I am shy. I like to work in the background, behind the scenes, with the least amount of attention as possible.

One of the things I have struggled with internally is knowing God wants me to be a leader. I have been asked to lead a group in prayer, or be in charge of a small group on youth trips, and when given the option to do it or not, I always shy away from the role. Am I proud of that? Of course not. I wish more than anything that I could throw away my hesitance and be bold in front of others.

Currently I am pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I am learning to say "yes" and trusting that my Father will give me the courage and words to speak. But I also think He knows the deepest depths of my being and where I find true joy in praising Him is serving.

I was listening to KLove the other morning and a song by Tenth Avenue North came on. The chorus was:

"You're changing my heart to want what You want, to love how You love and that is enough. There's no greater plan that I need to know. You only ask me to follow and want what you want."

"You only ask me to follow" has really stuck with me. I believe that is the best way I can be a leader. Following God, living my life for Him, and allowing His glory and love to pour out of me onto others. That is how I can lead the world to God.

I don't have to be a preacher standing up in front of a congregation every Sunday, or a Sunday School teacher, or a Youth Group leader. I don't have to be in the spotlight by human standards. I will be in God's spotlight by following Him, and people noticing something different about me.

I hope and pray to live my life in such a way that people wonder what I have that fills my heart with so much joy, that gives me compassion on people that are hurting, that helps me forgive the ones who have done me wrong, that allows me to emit love on every person I come in contact with. Then I can tell them about my Jesus, the love of my life, that I strive to follow everyday.

I am a leader because I have decided to follow Jesus. He has changed my heart to want what He wants. I live my life differently because He resides in me, and He leads me daily. Because I follow Him, I can lead others to get to know The Savior of the world.

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The Best Leader Is The Best Follower

I have decided to follow Jesus.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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