Issue #85, July 4, 2012
The wall was going up brick by brick and the vision was beginning to become a reality. But it wasn’t long before opposition surfaced. When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. (Nehemiah 4:1) Sanballat is soon joined by his friend Tobiah and others who repeatedly tried to stop the work on the wall. They tried ridicule, insults, threats, intimidation, trickery and discouragement. They hired false prophets, sent written letters, threatened to report Nehemiah to the king and planned physical attacks. Their attacks were not a small matter and could easily have completely stopped the work on the wall. Nehemiah was faced with the challenge of leading in the face of opposition and all servant leaders can learn from his example.
Servant leaders expect opposition.
It would be great to believe that everyone in Jerusalem would be happy with the vision to build a wall. But that did not happen to Nehemiah and it won’t happen to you! Nehemiah encountered Sanballat and his team as soon as he shared the vision (2:19-20) and he was not surprised when they returned after the work began. Movement produces friction and every good vision will produce resistance somewhere along the way. Leaders often are so excited about their vision that they expect everyone to support them, but it doesn’t happen. Godly leadership at home, in the church, in business, education, or any other realm will encounter opposition. Expect it.
Servant leaders identify the source.
Nehemiah quickly realized that the opposition was not focused on him as a leader but on the vision. It is easy for leaders whose vision is attacked to become defensive or angry at those who are opposing them. But Nehemiah was secure enough in his calling and purpose that he had no need to defend himself or take personal offense at the opposition. He knew what God had called him to do and opposition didn’t change that reality. He also realized that the act of leading a group towards God’s purposes will not only stir up natural opposition to movement, but will also encounter spiritual opposition. Nehemiah recognized that his battle was not against his physical opponents but the spiritual forces at work behind them.
Servant leaders modify the plan.
Nehemiah quickly adjusted his plans to accommodate the reality of the opposition. He repositioned people to meet the threats and prepared a battle strategy that included workers carrying weapons. He communicated his plan to the people and told them what to do if the physical attack happened. He also encouraged them that God would continue to fight for them. Servant leaders learn that it is often necessary to adjust the action plan and do not hesitate to find ways to meet the current realities they encounter.
Servant leaders keep the vision.
Nehemiah modified his plans but refused to be swayed from his vision. He was called to build the wall and no amount of opposition would stop him from that task. Throughout the account of the opposition faced by Nehemiah (recorded in chapters 4 and 6) he made sure that the work continued. When he felt himself weakening he quickly prayed and asked God for the strength he needed to keep going (6:9). Through it all, he kept the building of the wall the primary activity and focus for everyone.
Are you facing opposition to your vision? Reflect on Nehemiah’s life, make the adjustments needed, and then keep pressing on!
For further reflection and discussion:
- When others attack ‘my’ vision, do I quickly become defensive or angry? If so, what does this indicate about my heart?
- When my vision is opposed, do I take enough time to pray for God to reveal to me the source of the opposition?
- In what ways do I need to modify the plan to respond to the opposition? Have I communicated this plan to those involved? Have I reminded them of the vision?
The content of this issue was taken from Nehemiah 4:1-23 and 6:1-14.