Passion of a Good Leader

While Scripture is not intended to be a history of great people, but rather a testimony to the abiding presence of a great God who dwells among and cares for His people, it nevertheless does highlight some who by God’s grace, modeled certain aspects of integrity and character to which we should all aspire. Nehemiah is one of those individuals and the passion with which he led the people of God should serve as a model, motivation, and methodology for all who desire to be great leaders.

Nehemiah possessed a great passion for the people of God and the condition of their spiritual health. Exiled in the palace of the Persian King and separated from the people he loved, Nehemiah never stopped longing for their well-being. He inquired at every opportunity about their condition and their peace, prosperity, and ongoing dignity was the object of his heart’s desire. That’s why the report of their distress, broken-down walls, and burned- out gates in Jerusalem moved him to tears. Nehemiah possessed a passion for his people. The distress of the people remaining in Jerusalem, as reported by the visitor from Judah, spoke of the discouragement that had overtaken the Jews left in Jerusalem. The broken walls spoke of their vulnerability to nearby enemies and the burned-down access gates tipped off Nehemiah that access into Jerusalem was limited and outward movement had become extinct. This reported condition broke Nehemiah’s heart, stirred up his passion, and drove him to action.

Passionate leaders in the church today will be like Nehemiah. As we become aware of the pain, emptiness, and discouragement of the people of God, we must have our hearts stirred when we see the vulnerability of immature believers and the young who have built no walls of faith to withstand the attack of the secular enemy. We must experience awakened passion. When we honestly see that access to God in prayer is not being utilized and an outward movement to a lost world is being neglected, we must arise like Nehemiah and spring into action. The people of God are hurting and the work of God suffers. Leaders with a passion can still make a difference.