We celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and special events. We have holidays dedicated to famous people. We have Mothers Day, Fathers Day and Pastor Appreciation Day’s. I’m in Canada writing on Thanksgiving Day in-between peeling potatoes, stuffing the turkey and preparing for our family of nineteen for dinner. We have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for.
Nehemiah was a leader. Upon hearing that the walls of his home city were broken down he requested leave from his job as a Cup Bearer to King Artaxerxes. He returned to his home country, worked and motivated his people to rebuild the walls in record time. He knew how to lead his people. He worked alongside them, shared the load and was still a Servant Leader.
At the conclusion of the work, he recognized and celebrated the accomplishment. The Message Bible illustrates it this way, “the entire congregation that had come back from exile made booths and lived in them … a terrific day! Great Joy! Ezra read from the Book of Revelation of God each day, from the first to the last day – they celebrated the feast for seven days”. (Nehemiah 8)
Now that was a celebration. Note also Luke 15, again in The Message Bible, “Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin! Count on it – that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.”
What do you celebrate in your church, your business, or your not-for-profit agency? Do you celebrate attendance, baptisms, dedication or heart decisions?
I’m celebrating a small but significant step today; you are reading Leadership is … #53. I’ve been a leadership blogger for a full year. Leadership is … is being read in 31 countries. I’m thankful and appreciative of the support and encouragement as leaders worldwide are following once a week to learn, grow and be more effective in their Leadership Skills.
Leadership is, celebrating the positive, no matter how small it seems.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group