Leadership comes with much honor. But it also comes with heavy burdens and many sufferings. And while few of us might be called to official positions of leadership, we each still have the responsibility to care for those God has entrusted to our care.
To be sure, leadership is not for the faint of heart. Whatever prestige a position might hold, it comes with an equal weight of responsibility as well. The glory and suffering of leading go hand in hand.
And perhaps this is why many of us hide behind not being leaders in some official capacity – we don’t want the trouble and headache that comes from it.
Of course, those who take up this mantle with a good heart deserve all the respect and honor that comes from such positions. But this doesn’t let the rest of us off the hook.
We each have the responsibility to care for the flock God has given us – whoever is in our kingdom, the realm of our influence.
For instance, this would certainly include our wife and kids. But it might also include fellow team members at work, the clients we serve, and even the extended family, friends, or neighbors God places in our path for a season to care for. Whatever it looks like, our flock is the people God has assigned to our care.
And this is our duty we’re to accept willingly as our eager service to God, which remains true even when the flock is difficult to lead. And we lead by our own good example, not by demands or simply pushing our own agenda.
We allow our flock to remain lost and bring much harm to them when we neglect our duty or otherwise hold back because we don’t see ourselves as official leaders.
God has entrusted certain people to your care. Faithfully watch over them with all the grace, love, and humility such positions demand.
Photo by Alberto Bigoni on Unsplash
