A retired big-shot FBI officer and US Marines captain made a crucial decision after giving up work. He chose a path less traveled–to drive and be the captain of a school bus.
Mike Mason, 63, from Virginia, served the country for a good number of years. He has dedicated his life to excellence and serving others. That’s why it’s no surprise when he became a captain of the US Marines. He also served as one of the top men in the FBI under President George W. Bush’s leadership. Guess this man could not be stopped! After working for the government, he became an executive in one of the Fortune 500 companies.
Upon retiring, people might think that he could rest on his laurels and just enjoy the fruits of his hard work for the past years. However, Mike thought otherwise. “I still had a mind and I still had things I thought I was capable of doing,” he said in a CBN interview. Instead of just spending unhurried, quiet moments sipping brewed coffee on his porch, he still wanted to serve people and make a difference. That’s when the opportunity to serve children came.
He learned that Chester Field County Public School was in dire need of drivers. More than half of the school districts in the US are in need of more drivers. The public servant in Mike was awakened and he applied as a school bus driver. This choice was even questioned because certainly, he was overqualified for the position. Not to mention that there will be a significant markdown on his pay. He loves his job so much that he even regularly waxes his bus. He might have acquired this ‘surpassing expectations attitude’ from the discipline and excellence he learned from his previous work experience. That’s not all, he gives his salary to various charities. He has already given out more than $30,000 to his chosen charity works.
“I think in our society, we need to get next to the idea that there are no unimportant jobs. I mean, what could be more important than the attention we pay to our education system?” Mike mentioned in a CBN interview. Guess there will be people who, like Mike, prioritize service and sacrificial giving. He is the epitome of great leadership. He did not just lead when he’s in position but he continues to lead through serving even without a position. That’s the essence of leadership-Servanthood (Servant Leadership)!
Jesus is the embodiment of Servant Leadership. He is the highest authority, the most powerful being in heaven and earth, created everything in less than seven days and worshipped by legions of angels and saints. Yet, He gave up all of those to save us. His love for us is unconditional. If Mike saw the importance of serving the kids, Jesus saw the value of each person. That’s why He went down from heaven to be with us and to save us from eternal death. The next time you doubt your value, think again, the most powerful being, a God, gave up heaven for you!
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
