One of the greatest leadership stories you will find in the Bible concerns a servant named, Nehemiah. He was cup bearer to King Artaxerxes. Now most of us would think that being the butler would indicate that you didn't score high on your SAT's. But in reality the cup bearer was a VIP! Because poison was a favored method of assassination, the kings butler had to be a person whom the king trusted. Then because the king did business 24 hours a day, the butler had to be someone who could keep a confidence. But there was a benefit to Nehemiah that no one would have taken into account.
Being in the presence of the King was the same as going to leadership school. King Artaxerxes was a very good king and Nehemiah was learning from the best. There is no doubt in my mind that God placed him there for a season so He could use him for greater things. As Esther determined that the purpose of her life was to save her people from extermination, it can be said that Nehemiah's purpose was to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel.
When Nehemiah learns of the condition of his home country, his heart is broken. It becomes a burden and a serious concern for him. He prays and intercedes on behalf of his countrymen and Jerusalem. Somewhere along the line though, everything changes. A burden becomes a calling. What is most important that we remember here is that Nehemiah is a servant who is going to be a leader! Servant leadership. Nehemiah occupation as a servant coupled with the skills he learned in the kings throne room was the perfect combination to become someone who God could raise up.
Servant leadership is the example Jesus. He came to serve, not to be served. When we discover that the only form of leadership that really works is servant leadership - then we can proceed with what God has called us to do. So ask yourself this day who are you serving or who are you helping? Then spend some time with God and His Word! Learn how to be a leader from the greatest leaders of all time!!
Being in the presence of the King was the same as going to leadership school. King Artaxerxes was a very good king and Nehemiah was learning from the best. There is no doubt in my mind that God placed him there for a season so He could use him for greater things. As Esther determined that the purpose of her life was to save her people from extermination, it can be said that Nehemiah's purpose was to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel.
When Nehemiah learns of the condition of his home country, his heart is broken. It becomes a burden and a serious concern for him. He prays and intercedes on behalf of his countrymen and Jerusalem. Somewhere along the line though, everything changes. A burden becomes a calling. What is most important that we remember here is that Nehemiah is a servant who is going to be a leader! Servant leadership. Nehemiah occupation as a servant coupled with the skills he learned in the kings throne room was the perfect combination to become someone who God could raise up.
Servant leadership is the example Jesus. He came to serve, not to be served. When we discover that the only form of leadership that really works is servant leadership - then we can proceed with what God has called us to do. So ask yourself this day who are you serving or who are you helping? Then spend some time with God and His Word! Learn how to be a leader from the greatest leaders of all time!!
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