The oxymoron of following Jesus

I read today in Mark 10:42-44 one of the chief teachings and core principles for following Jesus. To lead you must serve. That's the doug paraphrase. In a world where authorities flaunt their leadership over you, Jesus said His followers must be different. We must choose to serve and even be last. That is one of those truths I grew up hearing but still struggle to practice. Jesus of course was the supreme model for this in how he lived and how he died. I don't think I struggle with being authoritarian...I don't think....and I don't think I've been trying to climb the corporate ladder (so to speak) and I don't think when I lead others I wave my leadership baton over them to force them to follow.

But I do think I need to consciously choose to serve those around me. I think I need to serve my children today by asking, "What would they like to do?" And do that instead of what I feel like doing. I think I need to practice more the art of asking, "How can I help?" and mean it.