Always Persevere – (Thirty Things I’ve Learned as a Leader 4/30)

Ok guys, there’s no way to make this sound nice… if you are a leader, you HAVE to learn how to hang in there. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Leadership is TOUGH. Sure you get to see lives changed. You even get to make a different world. Those things are awesome. But at it’s core, leadership is tough. TOUGH, TOUGH, TOUGH, and oh yeah, it’s tough. Get the picture?

I’ve seen it over and over in my life. People who are cruising along for God that come up against a difficult wall or situation. Next thing you know they fold and flame out. “I deserved better…. God should have rewarded me for being a leader… If God really cared I wouldn’t have gone through this difficult time.” I have heard all of that. But here’s the dang deal: This world is under the sway of our enemy, the Devil. As soon as you step up to lead, you WILL come under attack. We are in a SPIRITUAL BATTLE, not golfing the back nine at the spiritual Country Club. There is a reason why they say “War is Hell.” Because it is.

So maybe you are wondering if you should be a leader or not. Well in many respects we all are leaders in one way or another. But maybe you’re thinking of being a teacher, a shepherd, or some other kind of ministry leader. Don’t run away just because it’s scary. Cowards don’t change the world. Determine not to get discouraged. Get people around you who can encourage you. Ultimately, you can decide to be like Joshua who said to the people, “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)

And don’t forget Romans 15:5 “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus…”