The Burden of Leadership

Lately I’ve been feeling the pressure of the reality that I am an example, role model, and leader for others within the Body of Christ.
After all, it was the Lord’s brother James who said; “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
Funny thing is, is that, I didn’t choose this. Jesus chose me for it and has called me to a higher standard; one that is hard to live up to. But I accept His choosing with gratefulness and humility.
Not only do people see me as one who preaches and teaches Scripture, but many turn to me seeking approval for their relationships, sexuality, lifestyles, marriages, and activities. I have a weight to my words, that I must bear with reverence, for many people will take them to be words of permission or words of restriction.
It’s tempting to give people what thy want to hear, because then you’ll be more liked. It’s tempting to work on pleasing people and making friends, because then you will have more accolades, and even,more money. But to do so would be sucking the life out of my bones, and leading those who follow me into destruction.
I choose, instead, to lead, to teach, to preach, and to challenge according to the Word of God and the leading of His Holy Spirit.
If it costs me friends; so be it. If it costs me family members; so be it. If it costs me money; so be it. I am in this to take up my cross and to follow Jesus, not to look for the easy way out.
I will hold up the weight, the pressure, and the burden to lead no matter what the costs, and will not be a ‘people pleaser’.
I will not worry about ministering on other people’s turf. I will not care if people think that I am radical in my approach. I will not give people a “position” to make them feel better about themselves. And I will not hold my tongue to appear too liberal to a conservative, or too conservative to a liberal.
I have a job to do. I take it very seriously. And I embrace the reality that I am held to a higher standard. For I know that what I loose on earth will be loosed in heaven; and what I bind on earth will be bound in heaven- something I don’t take lightly.