Issue #86, July 18, 2012
So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. (Nehemiah 6:15) In less than two months’ time the wall was complete. The recording of this time is significant not only in the fact that it happened quickly but in the reality that it took time before the dream that Nehemiah had in the palace became a physical reality. As we come near the end of Nehemiah’s story, let’s reflect on ways his vision took time to develop and learn how servant leaders use time to accomplish their visions.
Visions take time to conceive.
When we began the story of Nehemiah we noted that he received a message from men who had visited Jerusalem and came back with their report. Nehemiah was deeply moved by the needs in the city of his forefathers and took time to think, reflect and most of all to pray about the situation. Slowly, the needs of his people became a personal call to involvement and his heart was stirred with a vision to build the wall. Nehemiah took time to receive the vision.
Many visions are never fulfilled because the leader does not allow enough time for the vision to form fully. Servant leaders acknowledge that God is the giver of visions and that it takes time for them to fully comprehend what He wants to do through their lives.
Visions take time to construct.
After Nehemiah received the vision to build the wall, he took time to think and to develop a plan before he approached the king. Then he shared the vision with the king and asked permission to travel to Jerusalem. The journey took a couple of months and then Nehemiah took more time on the ground to refine his plan before he was ready to communicate the vision.
Some visions are aborted because the leader rushes through the planning process and has only a half-formed idea of the direction before rushing into action. Servant leaders take time to carefully and prayerfully construct a plan.
Visions take time to communicate.
Nehemiah waited for the right time to communicate his vision to the people of Jerusalem. He didn’t want to prematurely talk about the dream before his plan was complete and before he sensed that the people were ready to embrace the vision. Then he took enough time to tell them what was in his heart and what God had already done to confirm the vision. As the work continued, he took more time to share the vision, refocus the workers in the face of opposition and encourage those who grew weary.
Some visions never materialize because the leader expects everyone to get on board after a three minute presentation! Servant leaders slow down and communicate again and again.
Visions take time to complete.
Obviously, the physical work on the wall was a big job and took time to complete. To the astonishment of supporters and enemies, it was completed in record time. Time spent in planning and communication pays off in reduced time for execution. As visions go, Nehemiah’s was a relatively short term vision. But as the wall was completed he realized that more building was needed for the people to fully experience all of God’s plans for their spiritual and social life. The initial vision expanded to include a more holistic plan which took much longer than two months to complete.
Leaders often underestimate the time needed to complete the work on the vision. What is crystal clear in their minds appears to be a quick job to complete. Servant leaders recognize that even with God’s blessing and direction working with people to accomplish God’s vision is the work of a lifetime.
Servant leaders view time as a precious gift of God, given to accomplish His vision. They do not frantically rush to conquer self-imposed deadlines, nor do they ignore the passing of time. Like Nehemiah, they carefully use time to accomplish their vision. Don’t rush your vision. Give it time.
For further reflection and discussion:
- How does my culture view time and in what ways it is consistent/inconsistent with God’s view of time? (Ask yourself if your culture most values tasks or relationships, whether you think in terms of deadlines or assume that there will always be a tomorrow.) What adjustments do you need to make to lead like Jesus?
- Have I allowed time for the vision to develop in my heart? To plan completely and communicate to others? Do I have a realistic view of how long it will actually take to achieve the vision? If not, what changes is God inviting me to make?
- Have I become discouraged with how long it is taking to accomplish the vision? What have I learned from Nehemiah that can encourage me to continue?