Ramblings on What We Share: Those Who Lead Us

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment. I Corinthians 4:8-13

Our leaders are the face of the church to the world. They allow themselves to be pushed down that those they lead may be raised to a higher plane. They take the hits the world swings at us and wear targets on their chest for the arrows of the enemy. It is the shepherds who are injured fighting off the wolves that the sheep may remain safe.

Spiritual leadership is not for the faint-hearted. Many of us long to find a place in leadership, yet when we get there we lose focus and allow the pressures it brings to topple us. Faithful leaders need their faithful followers not to forget their sacrifice. Take time today to send an encouraging email or card to the most influential spiritual leader in your life.