Bravery
I remember as a kid growing up, I learned what it meant to be brave. I wasn’t too afraid of the dark. I wasn’t afraid to go first when called upon. Bravery implies great courage in spite of crazy circumstances. I am still learning and growing in this area for sure.
Nehemiah had led the way in the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. He led this project in spite opposition from the people who had occupied the country since their exile. The native Israelites volunteered to help with the rebuild project in spite of the outside threats. In fact, as they were building the walls with brick and mortar; they had a trowel in one hand and their sword in the other. The wall was constructed in just 52 days. It was now time to move into the city and occupy. It would require bravery for sure. Check this out….
1The leaders of the people were living in Jerusalem, the holy city. A tenth of the people from the other towns of Judah and Benjamin were chosen by sacred lots to live there, too, while the rest stayed where they were. 2 And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 11:1-2 NLT)
I think leaders should not just instruct and bark orders; they should lead out and show the way they want their followers to go.
I see leaders as those with more insight, wisdom, courage and experience who cut the path for the rest of us to walk in. There are some many great leaders in my life. Many of them don’t even know the people who have been following them, but it’s obvious to me that they are following Jesus. Some of the leaders I follow are not necessarily older than me, but they are at a different spot on the journey with the Lord. Leading is not always about age. There is a lot to be said about courage when it comes to being a leader. Leaders are criticized from just about every angle by people who want their position or their influence.
I want to be a courageous leader for the Lord and for His kingdom. I want others to see Jesus when they examine my life. I want them to see my deep faith long before I speak a word. I want to be a leader that others can follow to meet Jesus and the Hope He brought to the world. It sometimes takes courage and sometimes it’s super clear. It’s most often simple to follow the Lord, but not always easy.
Pressing On!
Dwayne