Learning from Nehemiah

A few weeks ago I founds something I had written in the margin of my Bible in 2 Corinthians 5-6 .  It said:

Good Leaders =
1. Reverence to God
2. Truly love people
3. Eternal reward

I'm not sure who said it or when it was written, but it really made me think about what we have taught and do teach our children in regards to being a leader.  I would always tell them, "Be a leader, not a follower."  That's good, but a good leader IS a follower!  A follower of GOD!  Unless a leader is a follower of God - a true follower, he/she may have earthly success, but not the success that really matters.

The account of Nehemiah is fascinating.  Nehemiah began as a cup-bearer to the king. He saw a need and asked permission to do something about it.  The wall of Jerusalem needed to be rebuilt.  When he arrived in Jerusalem he became a contractor and a labor manager, then was appointed to be the governor of Judah.

Nehemiah was a good leader.  In a little different order than I had written, we can see these attributes of Nehemiah.

1. He loved people.

Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. 15 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people.  Nehemiah 5:14-15a

2. He had reverence for God.

But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. 16 Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land. Nehemiah 5:15b

3.  He was looking towards the eternal reward, not earthly fame.

Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people. Nehemiah 5:19

Nehemiah was a good and successful leader because he had those three attributes. That was what motivated him.

Ask yourself these questions:

Are you a leader?
Are you a good leader?
What motivates you?
Do you love people?  Truly love people? If not, why would people follow you or accept you as their leader?
Do you revere God? In what way?  How do you show your reverence to God? How do others see that you revere Him?
What is your goal? Earthly wealth or fame?  An eternal reward?  What would others say about you?

Nehemiah is an example for us.  His example can cause us to become good - even great - leaders, as well.

Challenge accepted?  You can do it!

LOL

Today we heard Mike Rowe speak at the National FFA Convention.  He is from the Discovery Channel show "Dirty Jobs With Mike Rowe".  He talked about how he is not how one might think.  He said that he's not an actor.  What he does is real - no script and no retakes.  He's not a host - because he just talks to people.  He said it's important for people to understand that what he does is just working along with others and he likes to think of himself as an apprentice.

The FFA used to be called "Future Farmers of America", but although the organization still uses FFA as it's name, the meaning has changed to much, much more than farming.  Mr. Rowe talked about how it's important for American (and other countries, too) to understand that FFA is important for America because of what it represents and what it does - which may, indeed, involve farming, but also involves many more areas of agriculture (specifically our nation's food supply and energy conservation).  FFA is a great organization and the students involved become educated in many different areas.

When you think about perceptions, think about what people may think of you.  What image do you give others about yourself?  Would others be surprised to know that you are a Christian?  Could they tell you are a Christian by the way you live?  By the way you talk?  By the entertainment you choose?

Many believe that our example is enough to show others about how to be a Christian.  A good example is imperative, but I also believe there comes a point where we have to say something and let them know that we are a Christian.  An example would be if someone is saying vulgar language continually around you and you never say anything, they will assume that you approve of that language, don't you think?  If you and I never stand up (in kindness and with love) and say anything, the people around us may never realize that something might be offensive to us.

Another thing we should speak up for is Jesus.  Confessing Jesus is one of the things we must do before becoming a Christian; however, that confession doesn't stop there.  It must continue the rest of our lives.

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” Matthew 10:32-33

The FFA motto this year is "LOL", which stands for "Lead Out Loud".  Of course, this is to reach the texting teens (and adults!) who use LOL all of the time to mean "laugh out loud".  But this LOL is different.  It means don't just sit back and let things happen all around you, but do something.  Do something to lead.  It doesn't mean you have to be the LOUDEST or the one out in front, but it means to do something to make a difference. 

You and I can LOL (Lead Out Loud) as Christians each and every day by making good choices, by showing and telling others about God and about Jesus.  Make the choice to LOL today!!!