Augustine had an insight about God that is often quoted and remains true today, “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.” Leaders need to have passion for their work but a job can never truly satisfy their deepest need for purpose. Read Psalm 84:1-12.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, the richest man to ever live in the world, King Solomon, tries to find satisfaction through human achievement. He says, “What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 3:9-11). No earthbound person, position or possession can truly satisfy any leader. As a Christian leader our passion for the Savior needs to drive and define our purpose for living. Read more »

Initiative is defined as the ability to act and make decisions without the leading of other people. Initiative is the first step in a process that, once taken, determines subsequent events. High performing leaders have the ability to take initiative. Read Nehemiah 1:4-2:8.

It had been over three quarters of a century since the first Jewish exiles returned to Judah and Jerusalem. Nehemiah lived in Babylon and served the Persian King Artaxerxes directly as his cupbearer and personal attendant. He had never visited Judah but being from a Jewish heritage sought reports from groups that traveled to Judah and then returned to Babylon. His brother was part of one of those groups and brought a very discouraging report concerning the capitol city of Jerusalem. The city walls remained in ruin even though some of the Jews had returned 78 years ago, the city could not protect itself, and the people were living in disgrace. Nehemiah couldn’t imagine doing nothing when he heard the walls of Jerusalem had not been repaired. Nehemiah demonstrated that when a leader with initiative knows something in his heart (or gut) they are prompted to act. Read more »

Something powerful happens when a Christian leader has a broken heart for the people and prays for guidance. Read Nehemiah 1:1-4.

Nehemiah was a Jewish man who served King Artaxerxes of Persia as a cupbearer. He was not only a personal attendant to Artaxerxes but part of his job was to sample the wine and food placed before Artaxerxes to insure it was not poisoned. It was a job that called for complete trust between the king and Nehemiah. Nehemiah’s job called for his presence in Babylon with the king but Nehemiah’s assignment from God would be to go to Jerusalem to lead God’s people to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem and re-establish a national unity and pride as God’s people. Read more »

A wise leader relates to their team. Read Ezra 1:1-7.

King Cyrus of Persia understood how to relate to those in his kingdom. The Persian forces had conquered the nation of Babylon. Babylon had been a great power and at the height of their power they had captured Jerusalem and exiled most of the Jewish people living there to Babylon. Not only the Jews but many of the people that Cyrus now governed were exiles that the Babylonian army had relocated from their homeland. This potentially made Cyrus’ governance more difficult. As we have seen in modern days with the breakup of the Soviet block of nations, ethnicity and national loyalty are not easily forgotten. Cyrus could have had several exiled national groups resistant to his rule and his army could have been paralyzed battling internal rebellious people groups who were seeking their own identity.

Cyrus chose a non-military leadership strategy; he studied the needs and desires of each people group and related to them through their needs thus becoming a conquering hero rather than an enemy to be contended with. Leaders can learn some practical steps in relating to their team from Cyrus’ leadership: Read more »

As we enter the study of some specific leadership principles tucked away in 2 Chronicles, it is helpful to get an overview of the book. This being the fourth book (1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles) detailing the actions of many of the same individuals, it is helpful for understanding the leadership lessons to know the major theme God is seeking to communicate in the book. John Maxwell in The Maxwell Leadership Bible gives summary notes at the beginning of the book that are very helpful.

Summary

If 2 Chronicles develops one major theme or offers one major lesson, it is this: Leaders need to finish well. Read more »