When I was a child growing up in the Mennonite church, I was taught the importance of serving others. We are to help others in their time of need. When hurricane Celia hit Corpus Christi in 1970, my father along with others from the church traveled south from Illinois to help rebuild homes.
Service to others is a privilege and a sacred honor. We are to give of ourselves to help others in need. In college, I spent 13 weeks in Jamaica as part of a Study-Service Term abroad. Six weeks of the trimester was to be spent in service. I spent those six weeks helping out at a boys' camp in the mountains.
Only in giving to others do you find your true value. Success is not to be found in making more money or in a promotion. Success is found in giving back. Often the rewards one receives from giving far outweigh the price of the gift. Helping others is the best gift you will ever receive.
Another tradition we practiced in the Mennonite church that I attended as a child was that of feet washing. As part of communion, people would pair up, remove their shoes and socks, and wash each other's feet. Washing someone's feet was a sign of humility. None of us are too good to be above washing someone's feet. Washing the feet of someone puts people on the same level. The boss is no better than the employee. The rich are no better than the poor.
As creative leaders, what are you giving back? How are you serving others? How are you helping other people achieve their dreams? Whose feet are you washing?
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