"Do not lord it over those in your charge ..."

 - I Peter 5

The account of Peter, when placed all together as it is in today's lessons (on the Feast of Peter) brings into focus an ordinary man that became extraordinary, because he had been with Christ and believed in Him.

Peter's teachings stressed servanthood. He was a man's man, by all accounts. Very handy, hard-working, a leader, a successful fisherman. He was a family man, with a wife, and probably, many children (I am going to want to meet them some day).

But his trusting heart, his passionate swagger, but most of all, his humility, endears him to us.

"Don't be bossy," is basically what it's saying. A current meme going around Facebook talks about girls pushing back when they are called "bossy," and insisting that they have leadership skills.

Whatever. Nobody likes anybody that's "bossy" whether male or female. And that's what Peter is saying.

Lead, but don't be bossy. Leaders do, they set the example, they serve. They set out a course and ask people to follow. But bosses order people around. They take whatever position they have, either formal, or based on their size, or bank accounts, and start lording it over people. They are insecure and small. But telling people to do something, and they do it, makes them feel important.

Don't be like that.