Opportunity from Obedience by Emily

Opportunity from Obedience by Emily - February 2014 Scholarship Essay

"The door of opportunity swings open on the tiny hinges of obedience," exclaimed Jay Strack at Student Leadership University's 201 trip. After hours of sitting in a conference room listening to lectures, I had heard more than enough inspirational quotes that day, yet this one stuck out to me. Strack went on to explain how no leadership opportunities will become available to me if I did not first exemplify obedience. I had to finish steps one, two, and three before reaching my final goal.

After the lecture, my student pastor, who coordinated the leadership programs, asked the group to write that statement down and figure out how it could relate to our futures as leaders both at the school and beyond. I sat there for awhile, dreaming of the things I could be doing to benefit my growth as a young leader while serving the school and the other students. I found myself thinking back to my 8th grade trip a few years backs and remembering what an incredible experience that had been for me. It was right then that I knew I wanted to be the high school junior to plan and lead that trip, so a few weeks later I stepped into my student pastor's office and asked him about it. To my surprise, he immediately agreed. I had been sure he would have to think it over and discuss it with other administrators, but instead he told me with whom I should be in contact in order to begin the planning process.

Months later, armed with a binder filled with medical release waivers, budget spreadsheets, tax exempt forms, meal plans, and class rosters, I boarded a bus filled with eighty-six eighth grade students. The next three days were a bit chaotic, but the relationships I formed with the younger students and the real-world leadership experience I gained made every situation worth the challenge.

In retrospect, the entire opportunity would not have been possible without my original obedience. Had I not taken the initiative to be a part of my school's leadership program, I would not have attended the SLU 201 conference. Had I not attended the conference, I would not have dreamed of getting to lead a trip that positively impacted my life. Had I not led the trip, I would not have built mentor-like relationships with younger students. Thus, I can look back and note how one short quote, just twelve simple words, had the power to alter what would have been an ordinarily monotonous high school year.