Leadership's Burden

Nehemiah 2:12

And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.

Being a leader is not always easy. If being a leader were easy, everyone would be a leader and be a good one. The fact that there are leaders means that there must also be followers. Certainly, not everyone is equipped to be a leader, but that does not make them a bad person; you can't have leaders if you don't have someone to lead. Someone has to lead, but someone also has to follow.

However, the need for leaders is great. Sadly, many won't take on the role of being a leader because they don't want to carry the burden that leadership requires. The burden of leadership is heavy, but God never requires a leader to carry a heavier burden than they are capable of carrying.

Nehemiah was one of those rare men who not only led, but led well. What is interesting about Nehemiah is that he was a good follower before he became a great leader. Great leaders are great followers, but they step up and lead in times of need. Let me share a few burdens a leader must carry if they are to lead people into executing God’s cause properly.

First, leaders must be willing to carry the burden alone. Part of being a leader is that you cannot whine about the burden you carry. Nehemiah had a burden for the wall to be rebuilt, but he carried that burden alone until it was time to present the burden to the people. You forfeit the right to lead when you whine about the burden God has placed on your heart. You must be willing to carry that burden alone if you want God to use you to lead people.

Second, leaders must work long hours. You will notice that Nehemiah arose in the night. You will never be a good leader if the cause you are trying to lead does not wake you up in the night. If your cause doesn't wake you in the night, your cause is not on your heart. Leaders work long hours and wake in the middle of the night trying to figure out how to make their cause a reality. You will never be a great leader if you only work 40 hours a week.

Third, leaders must be willing to be in the minority. Nehemiah did not walk with the crowd, but with a few men. The man who is always concerned about the winds of popularity will always be a poor leader. Leaders are willing to be unpopular for the cause God has given them to carry out.

Fourth, leaders must be able to communicate their vision. You cannot lead people if you don't learn how to convey your vision to your people. Communicating a vision starts with having a vision. If you don't have a vision, you certainly won't be able to communicate it to those you lead. A leader with no vision is not a leader. Leaders have a great vision, and part of their responsibility is to learn when to present that vision to those they lead and communicate that vision so they can understand it.

Fifth, leaders must be able to communicate their passion. You will never get people to follow you if you are not enthusiastic about what you are doing. You cannot lead people if something else is more important than what you are doing. The great leader will have a passion and will pass it on to those they lead.