Nehemiah 1:11 Now I was cupbearer to the king.
Nehemiah is one of the greatest leadership stories you will find in the Bible. He was the cup bearer to King Artaxerxes, King of Persia and the most powerful man in the world. Being a cup bearer wasn't a menial job. It was a position of honor. Because poison was a favored method of assassination, the cup bearer had to be a person whom the king trusted. He would have been well paid for his loyalty.
Nehemiah learns of the condition of his homeland, and his heart is broken. (Neh 1:1-3) He has serious concerns about this, so he prays and intercedes on behalf of his countrymen and Jerusalem. Along the line though, a burden became a calling. God asks him to go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
How do you go from being a cup bearer to a governor in a day? Why would King Artaxerxes even consider something so outrageous? Nehemiah is a perfect example of how to become a great leader.
Be a Servant Leader
Nehemiah was a servant to the King. He understood the chain of command. He understood the value of teamwork. He understood that you have to give up to go up. He understood the value of a leaders sacrifice for his people. Nehemiah was willing to make those sacrifices.
The Company You Keep
Being in the presence of the King was the same as getting a Ph.D. Nehemiah would have witnessed the best leadership principles and practices of that day. If anyone could get the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt, it was him.
So, are you a servant or do you want to be served? Great achievement demands great sacrifice. Are you willing to do what it takes for the people who may not even appreciate what you are doing?
Who are the people who surround you? You are what you hang around. If you want to accomplish great things for Christ, then learn about the people who have already. Hang around people who are doing great things for Him.
PRAY: Dear Jesus, help me to serve others and to surround myself with people who will add value to my life and wisdom. AMEN
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