Nehemiah was serving as a cupbearer to king Artaxerxes  when he received the call from the Lord to return to his former homeland and rebuild the walls and restore the gates of Jerusalem. The role of a cupbearer may seem on the surface as a trivial one; however, this was not the case. Nehemiah served as the official taster of drink and food for the king, and was highly regarded. Cupbearers were a line of
defense for the safety of the king. If someone was trying to poison the king the
cupbearer would give his life as the first taster, it would be safe to say that
cupbearers were literally drink and food bodyguards. So along with the
prominence attached to the job there was the constant reminder of the high risk
involved. It would take a special temperament to effectively balance the sway in
emotions. Because of the high risk involved, cupbearers were generally eunuchs
and lived and worked out of the royal palace. They were devoted to the pleasing
of the king.
 
Cupbearers were well dressed and exposed to all the pomp and pageantry
of the kingdom. They were among a very limited selected number of servants who
had access to the inner courts of the palace. This access allowed for a number
of unique opportunities to be realized, among them were the following:
·        
Exposure to the protocols of the palace
        
Forging of an intimate relationship with the king
·        
Asking of favors for self and others
 
Many would use their positions purely for personal gain, not so with
Nehemiah, he was aware that his position was ordained of God for the benefit of
fulfilling godly purpose. Effective leaders are able to see the big picture as it pertains to the opportunities presented them. The opportunities Nehemiah
enjoyed are also provided for those who serve the King of Kings--Jesus Christ.
They are exposed to the protocols of the Kingdom of God, have the privilege to
develop an intimate relationship with God, and through prayer needs are
presented and met. 
 
Influence
 
God had positioned Nehemiah (whose name in Hebrew means “comforter” or
“consolation”)in a place of influence prior to calling him to his rebuilding and
restoring leadership role. It is said that only a king’s wife had more influence
over the king than his cupbearer. Often the present influences we enjoy will
serve us in our future leadership, nation and kingdom building roles. 
 
It’s important for you to not lose sight of God’s positioning principle as you serve in what may seem an unrelated job or endeavor to your perceived calling. Be faithful where you are and know that all things do indeed work for the good of those who love and serve the Lord (Romans 8:28). Your position today may very well be the bridge to your future successes.
 
Effective leaders understand that faith without works result in kingdom
building assignments being unrealized, therefore they obtain and protect
influence by their work ethics and personal integrity. Effective leaders are
careful to treasure influence and view influence as a gift from God received
because of good stewardship of the opportunities entrusted to them.
 
Everyone has a measure of influence. Effective leadership may be described as positive influence in motion. Where is your influence and how is it being deployed? Is your influence available to God?

The Kingdom vision consists of a mandate to reach people everywhere,
transforming societies and transcending the local church’s sphere of
influence. It is a vision that includes church growth and church planting but is larger in scope. It is a vision, as summed up in a part of the

Lord’s Prayer, “Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). There are many in the Body of Christ that understand this mission of the Kingdom vision. (God’s will is to be done on the earth, and the accomplishment of this mission is at the core of the Kingdom vision.) They are members of local churches but have also taken their place as members of the universal church and see themselves as a part of the thrust of the Kingdom of God on the earth. Present a vision that is unmistakably clear to them.