Realistic Finishers – 15 January 2010

The fifth lesson we learn from Nehemiah was that he was a realistic finisher. 

He had some of the workers build the wall, while others stood guard against attack.  He acted without over-reacting.  He was gracious to people but unbending as a leader. 

It is so important as a leader to show care and compassion towards other people, but always being ready when necessary to stand firm.  Nehemiah did that in his dealing with people, he was gracious but unbending. 

As a leader you need to walk closely with God and to have your feet firmly on the ground.  It’s no good just having your head in the clouds, being so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly use.  You have to be like a lightning conductor – you’ve got to be in touch with God and in touch with the Earth if you’re going to be able to lead people and be effective in the work that God has called you to do.

Nehemiah had the discipline to finish the job.  Too many people will take something up and then after a while they get bored with it, or it will get difficult, or their mood changes and they’ll dump it. 

But good leaders are finishers - people who take up a job, with a passion, putting their confidence in God and who when the going gets tough keep on going and see it through to the end.  When the job loses is lustre they don’t go somewhere else they stay at it, in and out of season, as Paul encouraged Timothy to do. 

Father as we face the challenges of this day, help us to be realistic and to finish the job in hand.