Leadership in DC

My leadership class went to Washington DC last week for a leadership conference.  This conference was run by a Christian organization and had many speakers speaking on the subjects of helping with prisoners, homeless people, disabled people, and people thinking about having an abortion.  Throughout the three days, we learned about how these people are affected and how we can help these people and show them the love of God in our everyday lives.  On the first day, the speaker spoke about homeless people and how he actually, voluntarily became homeless for a span of five months in six different cities.  He experienced the lives that homeless people endure for a lot of their lives for only a few months and already was feeling the same feelings they were.  He felt neglected by all people but especially Christians.  They made sure that they did not make eye contact with he and his friend so that they did not feel like they had to talk to them.  He was used to eating a lot but soon got used to not.  He had nothing.  He inspired us along with an organization to go out into DC and find people without any food and to provide a lunch for them.  They gave us two dollars each to go and achieve this goal.  My group of eight went to Chick-fil-a and asked them if they had any left over food to provide for the less fortunate and told all that we were doing that day.  They went into the back and made twenty chicken salad sandwiches free of charge.  Their kind hearts touched so many lives that day just by this simple act.  We took the metro to DC where we began to talk to homeless people and give them some sandwiches.  Interaction meant so much to them as the speaker told us it would.  Our group fed about eight or nine people that day and saw many smiling faces as we did.  We went out and showed God’s love through our actions and providing people with the food that they may have needed to get through that day.  I hope that we gave some of those people hope to keep trying because there is people that care about them, we just need to make more of an effort to show it. 

Prison

For those who are in prison, a lot of times people just assume that they are bad people with bad intentions.  However, we do not know what has gone on in their past to make them the way they are.  Their pasts do not excuse their actions, but they do give reasons why they might act that way.  Elevation church does a ministry in a prison where they are actively involved in the prison and converting those men to Christianity.  I respect that because not only are they acknowledging these men, but they are making Jesus Christ known to them and giving them the opportunity to become children of God.  I would like to become involved in that ministry and try to do what I can to let them know that God will forgive them no matter what their sins are and that they can one day live in heaven with Him.  The kids whose parents are in jail need just as much love and support as the prisoners, if not more.  Maybe my leadership class can get a group together to help out these kids.  Prison is a serious place but we can bring the love of God into the equation and help these people understand that there is another way. 

Homelessness

Homelessness is a big problem in this world today.  There are many people who can not afford to live in home and buy food and clothing that they need to survive.  That results in them walking the streets and begging for food and money.  A lot of kids have been kicked out of their houses, lost their parents, or run away from home.  These kids need more help than almost anyone.  They need the love and support of the people around them because they are not receiving it where they already are.  The streets are not supportive and loving towards any of these homeless people and these people deserve better.  We need to not just be there for them one time; we need to make long term efforts to help these people be rehabilitated in all aspects.  A lot of times people just throw money to homeless people and do not think twice about them but we need to help these people by getting food together and safe warm places for them to sleep.  As Christians, we need to be as loving to them as we are to any other people. 

Disabilities

Disabilities are very frequent in the world today.  When I see people walking around with disabilities, I immediately feel pity towards them.  When we had the school of disabled kids come to our school, I enjoyed getting to play with these kids and understand a little bit of what they go through on a regular basis.  I can love the people who are mentally and physically handicapped.  I can show them that I care for them no matter what is going on in there life.  There are many people who want to help take care of those who are disabled and we need to figure out ways to make that happen.  There are many opportunities that are not known to people.  I can help out with what I do know how to do and figure out ways to make it better for them and know that people do love and care for them.  I can also tell them that God is loving and kind and wants what is best for them.  Disabilities may be shown on the outside but these people have just as big of hearts as we do and are capable of loving others and God.

Leadership Through Abortion

Every person is created in the image of God.  Children are a gift from God.  God has a purpose for each human life.  The Bible condemns those who take human life.  It is not right in any way to kill a baby, especially if both the mother and baby will not be harmed in the pregnancy.  A lot of times the women having these abortions are only thinking about themselves and how they will be affected, but really, they should be thinking about the baby and how it will never even get to take a breath.  There are many alternatives other than abortion that these women need to take into consideration, especially adoption.  There are millions of women who are not physically able to have children and are searching for children to adopt.  These babies being aborted could be placed into nice loving homes instead of not given a chance.  I have not been affected by abortion as of right now, but, I am sure that I will some day encounter a situation that will be hard for those involved afterwards and I must not judge, but to love them through their mistakes.  It is never right to take the life of another human being, but the person taking the life does not always need reminded of that.  A lot of times the mother is all for the abortion when she is thinking about herself, but then when it actually happens, she ponders the life of her almost born baby and starts to feel remorse for her choice.  I need to be able to support her through this because there will be many people looking down on her in this situation. 

Am I living the mission of God?

Is it a decision or not?  That is the question.  Is it a decision to ask Jesus to come into your heart?  Am I living the mission of God?  Jesus said to go and make disciples of all nations.  This is not a request.  It is a command.  As leaders of the Christian faith, we need to be going out to other countries, homes, and surrounding areas and spreading the news about Jesus Christ.  Without people going out and sharing God’s Word, we risk saving peoples’ lives.  We are not only supposed to share the Good News, but also teach it and teach what God has commanded us to do.  We need to not just talk to people and then leave them, but to completely invest ourselves into making them children of God.  Showing God’s love through our own actions can help the cause of showing others how much God loves them.  Sometimes I feel like I invest too much of my life into others and sometimes I feel like it is a waist of my time, but in the end, it will all pay off and knowing that it is for God that I am doing these things, I know that at least someone is appreciating what my actions towards others are.  However, I do not always exceed the amount of helping that I should.  I could always strive to reach out to more people and try to help them in their times of need.  God has granted me with an outgoing personality which will help me when I need to go out to other places and spread the Word of God.  I can show God’s love through my loving actions towards others.  I will be praying for those that I know do not know God or believe in Him and maybe some day He will show me how I can try to help them.  For now, all I can do is show His love and hope that some day it will make a difference. 

Leadership when it comes to opinions

Leadership can be found anywhere and everywhere.  This past Tuesday was the 2012 Presidential election and Barak Obama and Mitt Romney were competing for the role of President of the United States.  Although it was relatively close, Obama won and is once again the President of the United States.  A lot of people were happy with the fact the Obama won and others were very upset.  Many people went to the social media with the facts of why the agreed or disagreed with the election.  Nowadays, people can express anything that they want to on the internet with very little fear or remorse for how it will affect the people reading it.  There were a select few that could keep their opinions to themselves.  As Christians, we need to be able to stand above what the world may be saying whether good or bad.  There is too much going on in this world that can take over our opinions and actions, but as leaders, we must take our Christian roles and leader people in the right direction.  There were some people who looked at the election in a positive way, saying that God is in control of the whole world and not to worry who is leading our country because He will have the ultimate say in what is going to happen to us.  We need to keep that idea in check and remember that God is always in control of everything and that as Christian leaders, we must follow and trust in Him.  

Leadership Through Artwork

My art teacher, Mr. Adams, shows leadership through his art skills.  He is very encouraging while I am unfortunate when it comes to artwork.  His constant help and understanding makes me want to continue to work hard through my challenging artwork.  He has been educated in art skills throughout college and has carried it on into his teaching in high school, middle school, and elementary school.  All of the students respect him because not only does he have art skills, but he also has the relationship skills that help the students to be able to know him and enjoy his company.  We feel like we can trust him and talk to him as if he is one of our friends.  He is an all around leader with a heart for the Lord and a heart for art.  He uses the gifts that God has given him to inspire his students to go to college for art because of his successes.  His skills make me want to work hard and to practice so that I can maybe some day achieve what he has achieved.  I wish I would have taken art all four years of high school now but I am enjoying art this year because of him.  Mr. Adams is an inspirational leader through his art work displayed around the room and inspires his students to achieve the highest goals that they have for themselves.