Last week I wrote the first part of The Top 10 Leadership Lessons from Nehemiah. Thanks for the great feedback. Now, here are the next five. The book of Nehemiah is truly about Godly Leadership. The fact is, we are all leaders. Leadership is influence, and we all have influence in our family, work, school, friends, social media, community, church and so many other places. The question is – “What kind of leader are we?” And, part two, “Are we leading people to accomplish God’s will or our own?” Let’s become godly leaders…
Leadership Lesson #6 – Sacrifice, Godly leaders sacrifice the most. When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, 800 miles away! Nehemiah went out “at night” to inspect the walls (Nehemiah 2:13). While everyone else was sleeping, Nehemiah was praying and preparing for what God was calling him to do. It has been said, “Character is who you are when no one is looking.” Leaders sacrifice. Don’t drift in your private life. People follow character. The apostle Paul wrote, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1. Nehemiah left the comfort of the palace to accomplish God’s will in the rubble. Paul left being a Pharisee to follow Jesus and lead others to Him. Anything worth doing takes sacrifice. To have a godly marriage, to raise godly children, to lead and disciple others, to build God’s Church. Where is God calling you to sacrifice?
Leadership Lesson #7 – Don’t Go Alone, Involve others. Nehemiah invited others to join in the work (Nehemiah 2:17-18). Nehemiah was not a solo show. He knew he needed others around him to accomplish God’s vision. Paul was not a solo show. Paul always surrounded himself with godly people. You need to invite others to be involved in what God has called you to do. Have a spiritual mentor, join a Small Group, serve on a ministry team. You were not created to go alone. The best leaders are a part of great teams. Spiritually your enemy wants to isolate you. Maybe you feel isolated. But, God is with you, and you can be a part of a church family to accomplish God’s will in and through your life.
Leadership Lesson #8 – Opposition, Know opposition will come. Nehemiah faced opposition and so will we (Nehemiah 4:1-3). If you are doing God’s will, then you will face opposition. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble…” John 16:33. We have an enemy that wars against us. Satan wants to bring division in your marriage, with your kids, in your church, and in your heart. Don’t let the enemy win! If you are not doing anything meaningful, then you don’t have to worry about opposition. However, if you are engaging in God’s work, then you will. You can be in the center of God’s will and still go through struggles. We live in a broken and fallen world. But, remember, Jesus has overcome the world! You are on the willing team. Know opposition will come but also know that your God is greater!
I love this quote by Teddy Roosevelt, “It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at best now, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”
Leadership Lesson #9 – Stay Faithful, Don’t Get Distracted. Nehemiah kept doing the Lord’s work despite the opposition (Nehemiah 4:6, 14 and 19-20). Don’t get distracted. In your life and leadership, you must keep the main thing the main thing. You can’t do everything, so you must decide what is most important in your life. Living your life for Jesus is what life is all about. Everything else is a distraction. The importance of saying “No.” When you say “no,” then you are able to say “yes” to the things that are really important. We live in a world and culture of distractions. Keep your eyes on Jesus in your marriage, family, calling and ministry. Don’t drift, but grow deeper in Jesus and the call He has on your life.
Leadership Lesson #10 – Finish, Finish the work God has Given You. Nehemiah and the people completed the wall in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15). The wall around Jerusalem was broken down for 70 years since the first people returned and nobody did anything about it. The people were too distracted and caught up in the things of this world to devote their attention to God until Nehemiah came. And, Nehemiah did not quit until the work was done. Don’t stop. What you are doing matters. Build that godly marriage, build that godly family, build that godly church and impact generations for the glory of our great God!
Nehemiah was a great leader, and so are you. Nehemiah accomplished great things for the Lord, and so can you. Stay strong and do the work. It is worth it. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls that Jesus would walk through 400 years later. There in Jerusalem, Jesus will die on a cross for our sins, but then death cannot keep Him in the ground. He will rise again giving us eternal life in HIm. And, now this is your turn and your time. Do the work and prepare the way for Jesus to come into your leadership, marriage, family, ministry, church, community, workplace, school and transform lives for His glory. Let’s be the leaders God has called us to be. Your leadership matters! Lead and love for the glory of God.