The problem with thinking that God is on your side is that your enemies think the same way.
That said, Nehemiah knew He was following God’s vision – and when you do that, you’ll be the leader God has called you to be.
“Then I said to them, ‘You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.’ I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, ‘Let us arise and build.’ So they put their hands to the good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it, they mocked us and despised us and said, ‘What is this thing you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?’ So I answered them and said to them, ‘The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, right or memorial in Jerusalem.’” Nehemiah 2:17 – 20
Leaders Share Personal Vision
For Nehemiah, this is personal. It’s his city. Remember what he told the king in vs 4.
For the people he’s talking too, it’s their city also. They live there.
Nehemiah has the resources at his disposal given to him by the king, and the singular focus and purpose to lead the people of his city in rebuilding its walls and gates. (vs 7-8)
Nehemiah heard the news about his city in ruins and decided to do something about it. Now, he’s home and has just concluded a private and personal tour of the ruins his city is in and assesses the situation.
He then approaches the leaders and explains to them the issues he sees and invites them to join him in rebuilding it together.
Because it’s personal and because he can facilitate action, they are eager to follow his vision to rebuild.
Leaders Inspire Action
How could you possibly ignore this request:
“Hi there, my name is Nehemiah and I’m the, um, cupbearer for the king… so, yeah, I’m originally from here and I heard about the walls and gates being destroyed… Um, I asked the king for the time to come and for the resources to rebuild the wall and gates for your city… er, how’s that sound to you?”
Talk about the easiest sell ever, right?
Hi there, I want to improve your life and I have the method and means to do it – it just requires your help to get going…
Leaders inspire action when it’s clear to those following that they will benefit from the action. Always remember the WIIFM (What’s In It For Me?) question.
Leaders hold Haters in Check
There’s always going to be someone who rains on your parade trying to keep you from realizing your vision.
The thing is though, Nehemiah is on a “Mission from God!”
The haters started by mocking them with despising comments questioning their motives and intentions against the ruler of the land…
Nehemiah’s response: “We’re on a ‘Mission from God!’”
Oh, by the way – not just any God – the God of heaven! He’s going to give us success and we are His servants.
Lastly, to finish off their mocking, he reminds them that it’s not even their concern because it’s not their city… in other words, go mind your own business!
Leaders Work
Nehemiah finishes telling off the haters with a pledge to work.
He says, “Because God will give us success (FAITH based statement), we His servants will arise and build.”
When haters try to bring you down, dismiss them the way Nehemiah does and focus on your vision. Share it with everyone and allow others to come alongside you to build your vision with you.
