One summer, while I was in college, I got a job as a lifeguard. Thinking I would have an easy summer job and get to work on my tan all summer, I took the registration class and went looking for a job.
I found one at a summer Christian camp working at the lake. I was the guy at the end of the water slide that yelled and made sure that campers came up after going under the water at the end of the slide.
Everything was going really well until about my third week in. That week, some campers came in that obviously had little swimming ability. Tuesday of that week, I was at my lifeguarding post by the water. At the top of the slide, I saw a boy that was about 10 years old. He went down the slide, yelling and laughing the entire way… until he hit the water.
On impact, the boy’s life jacket came shooting over his head and he panicked! He was flailing his arms and yelling as he fought to keep his head above water. Being the lifeguard, I jumped in and got him.
That day, I learned that action is the only way to success.
The only way the boy was going to be helped was by me jumping in the water… by me moving to action.
In a world that often talks faster than it’s willing to do, I want to be a person of action. I want to move and impact the people around me.
We can’t just talk about things. We all have to be leaders of action and movement for the sake of the people around us.
Our passion must drive us. Our passion for people. Our passion for the organizations we lead. Our passion for the vision. Like a lifeguard who’s passion has to be the safety of the people they’re watching, we have to be willing to jump in with both feet. In order to do that, we have to search our hearts and know that what we’re doing really matters. That’s what fuels change. Passion and belief that the passion inside of you can truly change the people around you. It can, leader. You’re called to make a difference. Those God given passions inside of you are there for a reason.
Jump in with both feet!
This is part four of a 5-part blog series for young leaders. To read the full series:
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Five
Jonathan Pearson is a Pastor at Cornerstone Community Church. He is author of Next Up: 8 Shifts Great Young Leaders Make.
To read more about shifts great young leaders make, pick up Jonathan Pearson’s book here.
