Nehemiah 1: 11-18
It is comforting and inspiring when a strong, confident
leader takes hold of a situation and stands firm regarding what needs to be
done. Many of our country’s great leaders and doers were those who could
instill this type of feeling in us. “Ask not what your country can do for you,
ask what you can do for your country.” J.F.K. “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this
wall!” Ronald Reagan. “I have a dream!” Martin Luther King. Thank God for
strong, insightful managers of this nation!
Nehemiah was this type of man. He was not bold or crass, but
a sincere man of God on a mission, with the breath of the Lord at his back,
filling his sails to continually remind him of his great mission.
Nehemiah demonstrated patience, wisdom and caution, yet was passionate.
He may not have felt like a leader before the Lord put this burning on his
heart to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, but as he listened and obeyed, his
charge became clear and the leader in him evolved into something unstoppable.
Leaders are not just dreamers, though it may start out that
way. They may initially be followers or even just bystanders, until in the
quiet and stillness they hear the voice of God. We can all be leaders in some
way, as we think, plan and work toward taking action on what is placed on our
heart to accomplish for the glory of God.
As God invites us to accomplish great things for Him, He
challenges us not to go it alone. If we are in the lead, we are to take others
along with us and light the way. If we are following, we are side by side with
other followers doing the will of the Lord, perhaps leading within the group. And if we are standing out of the way, we should be holding out our
hand, ready to be pulled in, and get to work!.
