Strength for Leaders

"Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown." So says Henry in Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 2.

And at the beginning of the musical, Camelot, King Arthur complains to the audience: his people do not understand how it is that, just because he is the king, he is not resting easily on the eve of his wedding. Like any other groom, he is scared to death. But he has no one to share it with.

Perhaps another, more modern way of putting it is, "It's lonely at the top."

There is no shortage of books and seminars on the subject of leadership. But one thing I have found is that, no matter how much we study the topic, there remains a kind of romantic notion of leadership that only gets corrected when one is thrust into the actual position of leadership. Until you experience the reality of leading, it remains theoretical. And the truth is--reality bites.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul shares about all the suffering and pain he had gone through as apostle to the Gentiles. As he also had mentioned in 1 Cor. 15: 31, referring to the dangers and cares he endured for the gospel, "I die daily."

I think that the life of David is a great study in all aspects of leadership--full of examples of both success and failure. In 1 Sam. 30, he returns to his temporary home in Ziklag to find that the Amalekites had raided his town, burning it to the ground and carrying off all the women and children, including his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail.

David's men began to grumble and complain against their leader. "David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters" (1 Sam. 30: 6a). Realistically, David was not responsible for the raid and, in fact, was just as much a victim as everyone else. Yet, because he was their leader, the bitterness and anger that they felt became focused on David. So much so, that they could have executed him. No wonder David was "greatly distressed."

But it is the end of verse 6 that is incredibly instructive for all leaders. "But David found strength in the LORD his God" (1 Sam. 30: 6b).

As a leader, I can expect to be the focus of people's anger when they perceive that a mistake has been made and they are affected. I can expect the anger to be intense and to cause distress, depending on the severity of the blunder.

For this reason, it is vital that I already be deeply connected to my Lord. HE is the primary place of refuge and strength for leaders. Are you spending the time to get rooted deeply in your source of strength? Do it now before the storm hits. It will make all the difference.