I was reading through some of Hebrews today, and I came across this verse that spoke to me so clearly. I felt like God was reminding me of what my calling is as a leader. I think in many ways this is the essence of leadership. It’s found in Hebrews 12:12-13:
“So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame will not stumble and fall but will become strong”.
The reason that this spoke to me is that so often as a leader, I do have tired hands and shaky legs. Sometimes uncertainty grabs me. Sometimes disbelief haunts me. Sometimes I wonder if I am strong enough to follow the call that God has placed on my life. I don’t often question the call, I question whether I’m able to pursue it.
But that’s why I love these verses. These verses don’t pretend that leadership is easy. These verses don’t pretend that we don’t struggle, worry, doubt, or have tired hands or shaky legs. These verses know that in purusing God and his calling, there will be moments of difficult, doubt, and decision. And the decision that this verse calls for us to have is to take a new grip, to stand firm even on shaky legs.
This verse reminds me that God is with me, like he is with you, so take a new grip. Don’t give up. Stand up on those shaky legs, get up again, move forward again, trust again, and don’t give up. And that as we refuse to give up, as we take a new grip (even though our hands are tired) as we stand firm (even though our legs are weak) and move forward we will help others find strength and follow God.
I guess what this verse really reminds me of is this: being a leader doesn’t mean your hands don’t get tired. Being a leader means you don’t give up, and you find a new grip with tired hands. Being a leader means sometimes God needs to remind you, that regardless of whether your hands are tired and legs are shaky, there is a calling still to pursue. And it’s worth pursuing.
So take a new grip today, a new stance today, and let others find strength as you follow.
Plattsville Church 
Thanks for the article. I enjoyed the analogy you used from Hebrews 12:12-13 and how that applies to leadership. As a Pastor and leader, I also worry and wonder if I am strong enough to follow the call that God has placed in my life. As the Scripture teaches, those in leadership will be judged more severely. However, the comfort I have happens when I remind myself that God is my solid rock, my foundation. Without Him, I wouldn’t be strong enough to handle the ministry. Thanks for this reminder. Have a blessed day!
Amen to the fact that God is our Solid Rock. So often its easy to think that ministry depends on us, when it depends on him. Thanks so much for the comment and encouragement. Grace and peace!