Hold your nerve!

If Jesus’ success were to be measured by how many disciples stood with him at the very moment he really needed their support, then he’d be deemed to have failed. One of his disciples (Judas) was treacherous and disloyal. Another (Peter) denied even knowing him. In fact, every single one of his disciples deserted him. Interestingly, the only people who really stayed loyal to the very end were...women. Mary (his mother) and the sisters Mary and Martha simply refused to leave...and showed far more courage than all the men put together.

In leadership, people come and go. It’s disappointing when they do go. But it happens. You can love them, care for them, believe in them, help them, cry with them, laugh with them, encourage them, champion them, water them, burp them, pray with them, journey with them...but the harsh truth is, all that can be so easily forgotten in a moment. When someone has a gripe, you can go from being hero to villain in a day! That’s leadership for you!

Think about it....Jesus healed thousands of people. He performed numerous miracles. He even raised the dead. But all that was soon forgotten. Within the space of one week, the crowd went from declaring him ‘BLESSED!’ to shouting ‘CRUCIFY!!’ Fickle? You’d better believe it! That’s people for you!

So there you have it. There is nothing new under the sun. Poo happens. Leadership is tough...even for Jesus. Anyone who thinks leadership is easy has clearly NEVER led anything in their life! Oh yes...it’s easy to carp and snipe from the sidelines. And yes...it’s easy to have an opinion when you don’t have to do anything about it! But leadership isn't merely about having opinions...it's about about making decisions, often tough decisions. Good leadership takes them thoughtfully and decisively, whether they’re popular or not.

Yet, in the midst of pressure and disappointment, Jesus remains by far our GREATEST example of great leadership. What did he do when it seemed everyone else had given up? How did he respond when he was betrayed and denied? Well...He refused to quit. He kept going. He stayed the course. He held his nerve, saw the big picture and paid the ultimate price for what he passionately believed in...PEOPLE!

In leadership, never underestimate the power of holding your nerve. When disappointment strikes, don’t permit cynicism to creep in. Sure...learn the lessons. But remain on course and pursue your convictions. Short term pain is nothing in comparison to the dream of seeing future generations impacted. Remember, as a leader, if YOU don’t see it before THEY see it, then neither YOU nor THEY will ever see it!! Heb12:2 explains what kept Jesus going despite suffering and pain‘...for the joy set before him’.

So leader...hold your nerve! Chances are, you're doing better than you think.