Indy Christian .com -- Daily Internet Starting-line

Leadership according to Nehemiah

Nehemiah was the King’s cupbearer, meaning he is trusted and high up in ranks. He was called to rebuild the city wall. As a leader, here’s what he did to accomplish his mission:
- He prayed
- He asked the King, a person of authority to give him favor and support
- He assessed the damage
- He gathered the people, young and old, poor and rich, skilled and unskilled to join him in his mission
- When opposition comes, he prayed
- After finishing the task, he reminded the people of God’s goodness, He’s laws and the people’s obligations and they rejoiced
- He led the people to confess their sins
- After the wall was restored, he led the people to renew their devotion to God and His covenant
- He dedicated the wall with thanksgiving and singing with musical instruments

The result? Not only the wall was restored but national reformation happened.

Nehemiah probably thought he was just going to rebuild the wall. But in the end, he was instrumental in rebuilding the nation of Israel.

Many times in our lives, we feel that we are assigned to do something. We do outreaches, projects and services. But programs and projects have beginnings and ends. However, if we are looking for transformation, we need to look first to God and to people, not to programs and projects. Real transformation happens when the hearts of the people are transformed. How are people’s hearts transformed? Through relationships and authentic interaction with one another.

Mark 12:28-30, “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these." Love is the universal language. Love is rooted in relationship.

God wants all of us to have first, a relationship with Him and relationships with others. Based on the Book of Nehemiah, the key to leadership and transformation is relationship with God and others – the two greatest commandments.

posted by fhlinternational @ 8:13 AM