As people immersed in a celebrity and success-oriented culture, we tend to give a lot of weight to titles. However, such distinctions are not always what they seem. Last Christmas, my sister gave me a really unique gift. She found out that in Scotland, there’s a movement to save natural resources, so they’re parcelling out pieces of land that are about eight feet square and selling them. Because Scottish law says that anyone who owns property in their country is entitled to bear the designation of “lord” or “lady,” it’s an enticement to purchase the parcels, which is why she gifted one to us. That said, I can officially call myself “Lord Robert Vernon Schuller” and Hannah can be known as “Lady Hannah Rose Schuller.” Isn’t that crazy? I looked it up to see if it’s legit, and it turns out it really is. Therefore, if I wanted to, I could use my title on credit cards, documents, or even to get preferred treatment at restaurants and hotels. However, if someone were to ask me what entitles me to bear such a distinction, I wouldn’t have a thing to tell them. I did nothing to merit being called “Lord Schuller,” and though it sounds impressive, it’s really no more than a word. In fact, I think this is the case with a lot of worldly titles. Though we put a great deal of emphasis on them, they do not qualify someone to lead, because when it comes to leadership, influence counts more than position, rank, or status.

My friend, you are called to be a leader, but don’t be distracted by worldly titles. Yes, initials before or after your name are impressive, but they are not an indication of your intelligence or impact. In fact, by modeling the servant-attitude of Jesus, you can lead from wherever you are, even if you’re not in charge. Your Savior has called you to change the world for the better, and you can bring His Kingdom to earth in any environment or setting. When you love people, pray for them, and pay attention to their needs, you will inherit divine influence that’s only possible through the Holy Spirit’s power!