Leadership can be lonely

My wife sent me this daily devotion this morning. I’ve been in Talladega, Alabama by myself since late June. The assignment is heavy, and it is heavier when your people aren’t with you. Sometimes even just having the dog come sit on your lap while you work is soothing. But this is a good message for leaders, and I thought I’d share.

CREDIT: This publication is written by Bob & Debby Gass and brought to you by UCB Radio Canada. The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under license from Celebration Enterprises, Inc.

“No one stood with me…But the Lord stood with me.” 2 Timothy 4:16–17 NKJV

One of the things leaders know is that while many people will never step up to be the leader, there are plenty of folks willing to criticize any steps toward leadership you might take and tell the whole world how they know better and why you did it wrong! While you will always accomplish more while working with others, you can’t always count on being supported or liked by everyone. No matter what you do, some people will be difficult and negative. So you must stay focused on your God-given goals, be who you are, and trust God to do what you cannot do. Real leaders make tough decisions, even when it means they end up less than popular. The road to true leadership can be lonely. But once you reach your goals, the rewards are enormous. Paul wrote, “No one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear…And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom” (vv. 16–18 NKJV). When others forsake you, the Lord will stand with you. The Lord will strengthen you. The Lord will deliver you. The Lord will reward you. You are called to love others and work with them. And if you find that you’re inadvertently doing things that alienate, discourage, or drive wedges, ask God for wisdom and insight to rectify the situation. But know this: when you have no one left but God, you will discover that God is enough!