“Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work. Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.” (Nehemiah 2:15-18, ESV)
This passage serves to illustrate a very important point about leadership. When Nehemiah examined the city of Jerusalem, he did not see anything different than the rest of the people. The elders, priests, nobles, and officials of the people knew all the details of the wall being down that Nehemiah did. There was only one difference: none of the others were willing to do anything about it.
The same holds true in our congregations today. The problem is not in our ability to see what needs to be done. People have spent years conversing about how this or that needs to be fixed or this group or area of the community needs more effort and consideration. Unfortunately, that is generally where we stop: with talk.
We need more leaders. Men who do not just see what needs to be done but are willing to step in take care of it. Men who are willing to encourage and bring others along to fulfill the task, not think they have to do it all themselves. Many of the tasks we need to undertake are too much for one man alone, just as the wall was too much for Nehemiah by himself.
Talk is cheap, and generally does not get anything accomplished. The church needs more godly leaders.
One Comment on “More Leaders Like Nehemiah”
Nehemiah faithfully followed his call from God, one confirmed by the king. And he refused to abandon his calling when threatened and also tempted by his opponents.