Sheep are wanderers. Without reliable fencing, you need a shepherd or a sheep dog to protect the flock from itself. When God told Moses his death was approaching, Moses did not beg for a few more years. Instead, he prayed for the nation:
“May the Lord … appoint a man over the people … so that the Lord’s people won’t be like sheep without a shepherd” Numbers 27:16-17.
That is the heart of a true leader: Moses wants to pass the baton to a reliable leader because he knows how badly God’s people need good leadership.
But being a leader is HARD WORK! As Paul says, he was shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, starved, frozen, “and besides these things, there is the DAILY PRESSURE of concern for the churches” 2 Corinthians 11:25-30. What brings a shepherd joy? Seeing his sheep well fed and protected.
Good leaders enjoy blessing those they lead. Yet we lose sight of the joy of leadership. Do you find your joy in casino nights, or wine every evening? Why are you looking there for joy? Do you have habits you would not wish on the “sheep” you lead? (Do you think you’re better than they are?)
Have you lost your first love (Rev. 2:4)?
Jesus preached the word to increase OUR joy. “These things I have spoken to you so that MY JOY might remain in you and that your joy might be full” John 15:11. The Word of God brings lasting joy, filling your soul and meeting your needs. Don’t say you don’t have time. The more you lead—the more burdens you carry—the more you need the WORD to fill your cup of joy.
Do you know where the apostle John found some of his joy? In WRITING. “We write these things so our joy may be complete” 1 John 1:4. There is joy in writing, which is part of leadership. Leading well brings joy to the leader. But you MUST feed your soul with God’s Word. Let the joy of Jesus’s words remain in you and make your joy full.
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