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Vision is one of the most important
defining characteristics of effective leadership.
A valuable leadership vision - “one that focuses action, provides direction, and inspires your stakeholders in all parts of life to move in a direction you choose — is a compelling image of an achievable future.” (https://hbr.org/2009/05/the-most-compelling-leadership.html)
When a vision is well-articulated with
passion, it's amazing how readily others will catch it and want to be involved
in making it happen! There are countless examples of vision being created and
achieved in the Bible. One that especially stands out is the story of Nehemiah’
who was devastated by the deteriorated condition of his ancestral city,
Jerusalem. Let’s look at three
essentials to the shaping and the accomplishment of Nehemiah’s vision in
chapter one.
1.
Creating a Vision
Vision often emerges out of a present need or a need in the future. This
was Nehemiah’s experience:
3 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned
to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of
Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” 4 When
I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and
prayed to the God of heaven.
Nehemiah’s first response was an emotional one in the presence of the
Lord.
He began by acknowledging who God is and admitted his own inadequacy. He
claimed the promises of God and then made his request for help with clarifying
and confirming his vision for Jerusalem.
Nehemiah knew he would need approval by the right people (the king), and
he’d have to do his homework.
11 So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, 12 I slipped
out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone
about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals
with us except the donkey I was riding. 13 After
dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well,[d] and
over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. 14 Then I went
to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through
the rubble. 15 So, though
it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley[e] instead,
inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate.
Then, Nehemiah went about creating a vision and a plan for what the
future could look like for Jerusalem.
Does your vision include acknowledging who God is
and what He has called you to do?
2.
Communicating a Vision
After seeking God’s face and doing his preliminary research behind the
senses, Nehemiah was ready to share his vision.
A well-articulated vision
presented with passion can inspire others to take on the challenge. This was precisely Nehemiah’s experience:
17 But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are
in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us
rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” 18 Then I told them
about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation
with the king. They replied at once,
“Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good
work.
God’s people were inspired, for Nehemiah’s passionate presentation had
all of the hallmarks of an amazing vision.
He had sought God’s direction, gained approval and support from the
King, and had done his initial research.
Are you passionate about the vision God has given you
and able to inspire others to action?
3.
Committing to a Vision
Once a commitment to a vision has been made, it’s not uncommon for
issues, opposition and obstacles to emerge. But, flexing his plans to handle
whatever occurred, Nehemiah responded, with confidence, to the opposition that
God was on their side.
19 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem
the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing?
Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked. 20 I
replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start
rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in
Jerusalem.”
Ultimately, a team of inspired and committed people can accomplish
amazing goals! This is exactly what
happened to God’s people.
15 So on October 2[d] the
wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun. 16 When our enemies
and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and
humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.
What an amazing feat and the vision was fulfilled in only 52 days!
With your committed team, are you ready to handle
the obstacles and naysayers who get in the way of success?
A vision well-crafted with a sense of His blessing that is passionately
communicated can inspire astonishing commitment to see it become a
reality!
What vision has God given you to meet a need that He has brought to your
attention? Can He count on your
leadership to make it happen with the support of His people?
Don Moore
Executive Director Canadian Christian Business Federation
Don strongly believes that people are our nation’s most valuable asset. His Listen-Learn-Lead” ap-proach to leadership has made him highly effective in executive roles in a variety of organizations with local, regional, national, and international reach.
An entrepreneurial thinker and strategist, Don built a grassroots movement of denominational and ministry leaders committed to evangelism with The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) and led a National Consultation in Ottawa.
Canadian Christian Business Federation
Email:
don@ccbf.org
5792 Eighth Line East
Ariss, ON N0B 1B0
416-725-5586
https://www.ccbf.org
