Over the last 5 months, I have had the honor and privilege of serving my World Race family as a team leader. Looking back I can’t imagine it any other way… which is ironic because at Training Camp I had a hard time accepting the fact that God was calling me into leadership on this Race. But since we stepped foot into Malaysia last September I’ve known that being a leader is exactly where I am called to be this year and leadership is an area that God wants to grow me in on this journey. Even with an announced team change after 3 months, amidst all the questions and doubts I had about leading a completely new team, my Savior assured me of the fact that this is where I am supposed to be. So, over the last two months I have had more opportunities to grow in ways that I never imagined and with people I barely knew before I was their leader. Regardless of how easy or (at times) hard the past 5 months have been, I know without a shadow of a doubt that my Father predestined my life to include this season of team leading on the World Race.
That being said, He has also been teaching me what it means to be a leader; and how dying to myself is the only way to set an example for others. There is only one way to be an effective leader. Jesus demonstrated that way of leadership in His life on earth and it has nothing to do with being in charge of people and everything to do with serving others. Servant-leadership is the only way we can effectively exercise any form of authority that we are given. So throughout the last several months my Daddy has been slowly stripping away every single thing that I have been relying on for my confidence. Through that He has been showing me more and more how He is the only support that I need in leadership and, consequently, in life. This has been a painful process; it is hard to lose something that you think you need in order to be the person you are trying to become.
Since I rely on so many things, I have been constantly and violently thrown back into the Presence of God while seeking the true validity of my leadership position. As He refills and renews me, the direction is always the same: “now go out and serve others in the love that I have given you.” Now I am learning how to be a servant.
I firmly believe that only effective servants can be effective leaders; so my recent life has been molding me into an effective servant. Here is an interesting thought: we are all called to be servants. Philippians 2:5, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” So if effective leaders are servants and all people are called to be servants, then we are all called to be leaders! This presents an interesting concept. The definition of a leader no longer involves position but instead it incorporates the heart. That leaves only one explanation for the different roles we each play as some “lead” and others “follow.” God works through each of us individually and specifically, and while one of us needs to be taught through being led, the other needs to be taught by leading. Either way we are both being led by Jesus! ï�Š Through this understanding I have come to the realization that effective leaders have to be open to change. Because who knows when and where God will call you next? In every situation we should be serving our hearts out within the parameters and responsibilities that we are given. With all that being said, I am excited to share where God is taking me in this season!
As I head into Nepal for the 6th month of my World Race I will be stepping out of the role of a team leader. This direction was ultimately given by God and was spoken through my squad leaders and is a word that I wholeheartedly embrace. This is absolutely the right step for me to take at this point in my Race. What God has recently been teaching me about servant-leadership is the lesson that I needed before I was able to accept the role of a team member and serve my leader well. I am so excited to enter this next season with a new perspective and in a position of support for my new team leader. Through this change I want to encourage each of you to look at the position in life that you have been given and recognize the influence you have in that role, as a servant. As followers of the Lord we are called to be servants, and servants of Jesus Christ lead people to the Kingdom.
I appreciate everyone’s love and support of me and my 11 month journey. I am also grateful for the shared excitement each of you have in every new step I take this year. I am beyond excited for what God has in store for Nepal, this month is going to change my life, I just know it! My entire life has been predestined to bring me to this point, only God knows what comes after this. For me, I have been given my next step and I am taking it in faith. “Effective leaders were first effective followers. So follow Christ and lead people into His Kingdom.”
One Day Closer,
Tanner Hubbard
