Lonely Leader

He’s beloved by many, yet he’s alone
With thousands following him
Hoping to follow his guidance
With scarcely a moment to himself

But they don’t know the service required
They don’t see the path he’s ventured
Behind the scenes they fail to see
Unaware of the struggle he’s overcome

For this position he never applied
A leader he never set out to be
The responsibility he never desired
For fame and glory he never sought

Not by design, but by duty
Where much is given, much is required
He blazed a trail where no one had traveled
Unaware of the wake behind him

He only wanted more light and knowledge
Which purpose was to end his own suffering
With courage and strength he pressed onward
And journeyed where few men would go

Into his deepest hell to be whole
But all they see is the man on the stage
Not knowing how to get what he got
And not willing if they knew where he’d been

Hence, his aloneness surrounded by thousands
His purpose focused solely on them
How they love him, but relate they cannot
Until they follow him down that road

He pleads as he gives his heart to them
Hoping for comrades, never adorers
Desiring partners in knowledge, not lemmings with veils
Sharing the wisdom they wish not to see

Descended below them, they know not where he’s been
They don’t see the servant leader he is
He sees the vision that they do not
Of the powerful beings they already are

Oh, the secrets he wishes to share with them!
But he must wait, so they do not drown
Funny how often reviled he is
Under their microscope broken

He tells them what they do not want to hear
They only follow until it hurts too much
Then they condemn and criticize him
Because they won’t go where he’s gone

Few are willing to make the sacrifice
Few are willing to do the work
Few will leave their hearts so vulnerable
Only a few will make the journey

He begs them to venture the path rarely traveled
The path of leadership few will attain
Because they can’t fathom the journey
Unprepared and unaware of the stewardship

They want the glory, not the hardship
They want the accolades, not the dirt or the mud
They want the reward, but won’t master the path
They want the fame, but not the behind-the-scenes struggle

They don’t understand it’s not about power
Although power leaders certainly wield
They don’t understand it’s not about being seen
Although leaders shine forth like a beacon

They don’t understand it’s not about getting
Although much leaders plainly receive
They don’t understand it’s not about money
Although abundance leaders clearly enjoy

They don’t understand it’s not about being loved
They don’t see leaders are constantly loving
They don’t understand it’s not about the reward
They don’t see leaders are constantly giving

It’s because they haven’t mastered
The inner journey of the heart
They don’t come from the pure power of love
That takes a lifetime to master

But leaders are kind, aware of our plight
Because they were once a disaster
Yet, have since their sovereignty gained
They know the path of freedom attained

Those leaders few, willing to master
Their lives a guide and inspiration to others
Gently give us our own keys to freedom
Although few will fully accept it