Leaders Lead with...

Read: Nehemiah 2
“The king said to me, For what do you ask? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to him, If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you will send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ sepulchers, that I may rebuild it.” Nehemiah 2:4-5

Examine:
Since it was his king who had stopped the rebuilding of Jerusalem, Nehemiah risked his life by speaking these words. This was a pivotal moment in his life and it found him ready. Besides seeking God’s help in prayer, he utilized all the human resources available, including his intellectual capabilities, his past experiences, his accumulated wisdom, his role and position in life, and people with whom he came in contact (in this instance, the king of Persia).

Apply:
As I read this passage four points for leading change really jump out. The first is patience. Four months passed between the time when God broke Nehemiah’s heart and his opportunity to do something about it. When he got to Jerusalem Nehemiah displayed patience again as he road through the city without announcing his plans for being there. Leaders lead with patience.

Preparation is the second thing that jumps out at me. In his waiting Nehemiah did not sit idle. He prayed, he took time to think, and he worked through a plan. He made sure that when given a chance he could answer all the basic questions and that he could make requests for all that was needed. He knew how long it would take, the resources he would need, the location of those resources, and what would be required to get those resources. Leaders lead with patience but they ruthlessly prepare themselves in the waiting.

The third thing that grabs me is opportunity. Nehemiah did not force an opening, but he was intently looking for an opportunity. He did not base his decision for moving forward on his preparation, but rather he waited with an eye towards an open door. When his opportunity presented itself Nehemiah did not hesitate. Leaders lead with patience, they prepare ruthlessly, and they never hesitate when the right opportunity presents itself.

The final thing that I see in this story is boldness. Nehemiah did not stick a toe in the water to test the temperature. When his moment came he cannon-balled into it. He did not hold back anything. From start to finish he put it all on the line and asked for everything he needed. Leaders lead with patience, they prepare ruthlessly, they seize opportunity, and they charge the hill with boldness.

Pray:
Preparation is the mindset I need to have during seasons of waiting and boldness is the stirring drive I need during seasons of opportunity. I think my tendency at times is to get those things backwards. I pray to You today and ask that Your wisdom and Spirit lead me in applying these lessons to my life.