In the book of Nehemiah we find leadership principles that if applied today in all leadership positions in the world we could rebuild and restore better tomorrow. In chapter one of Nehemiah he asks his bothers out of concern for those who had returned to Jerusalem several years earlier their current situation. The news he received was dismal, much like our world today. He was told in verse 3: “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.”
Image you were a small society living between a larger society that sought to disrupt and disgrace your way of living, image coming under attack everyday of your life for your faith and God whom you served. Think for a moment how you might handle the news that your family, friends, and community was living under attack. Nehemiah was in a position to impact this situation, but certain steps needed to take place.
The first leadership principles observed in the book of Nehemiah is concern and confession. Nehemiah being the king's cupbearer was in a position that provided him with opportunity to impact change. This special relationship was built on a mutual trust. If he did his job he would ensure the king's safety and his on safety. If he failed to do his job then the king's life and his would be in jeopardy. Nehemiah's concern for his people in Jerusalem shows a leader that places the needs of others above his own needs. Upon hearing the news he did not say I am glad I am not in that situation. He wept and confessed to the Lord concerning the situation and prayed that the Lord would use him. This shows the law of concern and confession leadership principle.
Why is the law of concern and confession an important principles to have and understand as a leader? A leader that does not show concern for those they seek to lead will not lead for change but for self recognition. Second, a leader that cannot confess his wrong doing and his people's wrong doing will fail in the execution of any plan to advance the organization or group. A leader that shows concern for others and their situation is outer focused. By confessing all sinful acts of both the leader and the people, the leader can be redeemed by God and used to restore God's glory in a community. Nehemiah's concern and confession is an example that all leaders should seek to follow. Nehemiah begins his rise to leadership with a question of concern for his people, followed by a confessing heart not for self but for rebuilding the relationship with God. Nehemiah's understood the problem and prepared himself to lead his people to restoration and reconciliation before God.
Are you in a position of influence as a leader? Do you desire to have influence as a leader? In order to have influence as a leader you must seek to show concern for others, while confessing all sins before God will bless your leadership influence. This is why the principle of concern and confession for leaders is the first step in becoming a leader with influence.
How is the leadership principle of concern and confession developed?
In order to develop concern for success a leader must be other focused. Mentality we must not think of ourselves, but the call to follow God's leading. If we serve ourselves we will not develop a heart of concern nor a confessing heart. However, if we seek to be concern for the fallen nature of man as God leads us then our whole heart can be changed with a bent nature towards purity and heart holiness.
Nehemiah called out to God in prayer confessing his sins and the sins of the Israelite, while proclaiming the promises of God that if they returned and obeyed the principles given by God, God would restore and return them to the land of promise. Nehemiah's prayer of confession for himself and his people is God's desire for every leader to learn. How a leader admits his failures and his people’s failures is the first step towards leading with a heart focused on God's plan not our plan. To develop this leadership quality ask this question: Am I leading for my own glory or God's glory? Answering this question will help you determine what you are more concern about. Your success as a leader or God's glory being revealed through you.
What is the first step to leading with concern and a confessing heart?
Concern for our own relationship with God is one thing, but concern for everyone's relationship as a leader shows a heart set on reconciliation and restoration of God's perfect plan. Having a confessing attitude about our sinful ways and wrong doing of not following God's commands is a mark of humility that we cannot lead without God's help. Therefore, confessing our sins and the sins of those we lead is the first step in developing a confessing leadership paradigm.
What a fresh and challenging approach to leadership development. Before we can truly lead our people to rebuild the church, community, and world, we as pastors, politicians, CEO's, small business owners, military leaders, etc... Must show concern for our situation and confess our sinful nature if we are going to lead with influence. Leadership had failed the children of Israel and they had fallen away from God's commands. In order for them to be restored to right relationship someone needed to confess their sins and seek to restore their relationship with God.
Nehemiah had a heart of concern for his people and felt the call to do rebuild and restore the relationship with God. His willingness to be used by God in accordance with God's principles given allowed him to rise as a leader of influence for God and God's people. He is not the spiritual leader for the people as the story develops but he becomes the governor of the people. Those who seek to be leaders need to understand that in order to lead well, you must have a heart that is bent towards the concerns that God has for his people and be willing to be the voice of confession for all. Nehemiah prayed a prayer of confession for himself and his people and God used him to be a governing leader for the children of Israel. Rebuilding the wall of protection by restoring the relationship with God is the first concern all leaders need to follow, if they desire to be used for the glory of God's influence.
If you desire to develop the spiritual principle of concern and confession as a leader I give you this prayer.
Lord I desire to be a leader that impacts your world with the message of restoration. I confess that I have been inner focused on my own success and not concern for your people. I confess that I have failed to lead out of obedience for myself, my family and those I seek to lead. I call upon you now to hear the prayer of your servant leader this day that I will obey your commands and lead with humble heart concerning the needs of your people. Guide me on my journey to rebuild and restore a relationship with you for myself and your people.
Amen...
