Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

No, I am not writing this because I have beef with someone.  I think I am writing this because first I agree with this and secondly I can empathize with this statement.  I also chose the ESV language because it was a little more severe.  But let me explain a little bit about what’s going on here and why I wanted to write about it.

First off, I never wanted to be a leader.  Let me say that again: “I never wanted to be a leader.” You see there is something very fearful about being a leader that has any kind of integrity.  You are responsible for those under you care.  I ran away from this for a long time because of the responsibility that comes with it.  It was not too long ago that I finally accepted I am in that boat whether I like it or not so I better do it well.  So let’s move on….

Secondly, I understand human nature somewhat.  Because of that I know leadership is an uphill battle.  Not only are you trying to lead a charge but you are fighting against the nature of the individual who you are trying to lead.  Even though you are held accountable for them, you can’t force their decisions.  You can’t make them pick the right choices.  OK so it looks like to me this is a losing battle huh?

So here’s the image in my head.  You know pastors are consider shepherds right?  Well to westernize this a little I like to look at it as a cattle rancher. :) For those of you who know me let’s picture this guy:

You see the frown and the lowered brow on this guy.  You know what he’s thinking?  I do.  He’s thinking this is going to be a looooooooong cattle drive.

He’s seeing all the dangers ahead.  He knows about where there is little water ahead for the heard and cattle men.  He understands about the bandits who are out to take the cattle for themselves.  He knows about the Indians (not trying to be politically correct here – it’s a western, work with me) who are out to steal and then kill what they won’t use.  Lastly, he knows that not only are the people counting on him in this trip but there are a bunch of people at the end of the line that want to see them come through.

Let’s not beat around the bush anymore.  Here’s what goes through my mind every day.

  • Like I said earlier, I am going to have to give an account as to how I helped you.
  • We are here for the sick as well as the healthy.  Meaning sometimes this can be easy and sometimes this is going to be hard.
  • I have to keep raising up leaders, or looking for the ones that God sends us, because our herd/flock is growing.
  • It is a never-ending quest to look for the right path for us to take.  For our end goal of what helps us all get closer to God…what is the next step for our particular group of people.

Let me close with this.  I know that many of you do not like to listen to those that have been placed in spiritual authority over you.  I sometimes don’t like it either.  But please understand it is not an advantage to you.

Sometimes your advantage doesn’t look good to you but it does to us.  Sometimes the things you should do are the things you don’t like.  Stick with it, don’t leave.

We do care about you.  Want to show us some of the same love? Let us rejoice in your decisions, not groan.

Have a great week!