Vision That Works

When he heard the news about his people and the condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah was literally in shock. He wept and mourned for days.

Then he got to work. Nehemiah was a leader who sought the Lord’s favor from the beginning to the end of the process as he participated in the vision the Lord had given him.

• First, Nehemiah prayed. He began with a prayer of confession, repentance, and a request for favor from King Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 1:4-11) and prayed at every crucial moment when he knew he needed God’s help.
• Next, Nehemiah planned. Without seeing the condition of the wall, Nehemiah knew what to do. No committees or stakeholder engagement. He was a leader and knew the time for buy-in would come. For now, the vision was to rebuild and restore the Israelites’ dignity. After praying for favor again, he shared his plan, the timeline, and the specifics that would help him achieve his vision with the influencer who mattered, the King and his wife.
• To achieve his vision, Nehemiah participated. He showed us what it’s like to maintain a posture of prayer while confidently accomplishing things.
• When he accomplished his vision, Nehemiah prayed: “Remember me for what I have done, my God, and don’t wipe out the good things that I have done for your temple and for the worship that is held there.”

Everything Nehemiah sought to accomplish was for the good of the people and the glory of God. Similarly, the work God planned for your life is for the body of Christ and your participation in the daily act of worship we call work.

We can’t ask for a better motivation or model for our careers and calling.

Remember me for what I have done, my God. Amen!

Ask yourself:

Am I asking God to guide and direct me in my life’s big and little plans?

For reflection:

Lord, there are three steps to being a confident and courageous leader like Nehemiah: Pray, plan, and participate. Let everything I do be for your glory and the good of the people you love. Amen.