Are You Taking the Initiative? Continued

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Nehemiah Takes the Lead

Nehemiah might have served as the poster boy for the philosophy, “You never have to recover from a good start.” He powerfully illustrates the role of initiative in a leader’s life.

This godly leader took initiative in praying for Jerusalem’s problem, in planning the rebuilding project, in persuading the people to act, and in pursuing the product they all wanted. And he did it in that order. His initiative showed great insight.

Nehemiah couldn’t imagine sitting still when he heard the walls of Jerusalem lay in shambles. He had to act. Of all the things a leader should fear, complacency ought to head the list.

But what enables good leaders to initiate? Nehemiah demonstrates that leaders know something in their heart or in their gut that prompts them to move. They don’t know everything, but they know enough to act. Nehemiah had insight into the following:

  1. How long the project would take. In Nehemiah 2:6, he gave King Artaxerxes a definite time period for his absence.
  2. How to get there. In Nehemiah 2:7, he asked for letters of permission to pass through the provinces beyond the river to Judah.
  3. What he would need to get the job done. In Nehemiah 2:8, he requested timbers from Asaph to make beams and gates for the wall.
  4. God’s hand was upon him (Nehemiah 2:8). Nehemiah got all that he requested because the hand of God rested upon him.

What can we learn from Nehemiah’s initiative?

  1. Know what you want. Desire is the starting point for all achievement. Nehemiah knew he wanted that wall up. What about you? What are your desires?
  2. Push yourself to act. At first, Nehemiah acted alone. He pushed to get the facts that would move others.
  3. Take risks. Nehemiah took some major risks as he got permission to go, to get wood, and to survey the job.
  4. Know you’ll make mistakes. Nehemiah wasn’t afraid to mobilize men who weren’t professional contractors or soldiers to build and fight.
  5. Go with your gut. What Nehemiah lacked in experience, he made up for with the passion of his heart.

 

Learning Initiative from Someone who Learned it the Hard Way: Jonah

We often get caught up in the story of “the big fish” and miss the story of “the big God!” The miracle of Ninevah’s redemption is a story of God’s pursuit of a reluctant leader who ran from a commitment.

Jonah and Second Chances

Fortunately, God pursues us when we run from commitment. Most of the time, He gives us a second opportunity, just as He did with Jonah.

Jonah had to learn initiative. It started with learning submission to God. Once we surrender to His call on our life and leadership, we can step out to follow Him. We can take risks because our future lies in His hands. Once Jonah submitted to God’s call, he saw all kinds of results. Let’s take a look at Jonah’s results:

  1. He assumed healthy personal responsibility (Jonah 1:12).
  2. He saw many come to faith in God (1:13-16).
  3. He received a God-given time and place to gain perspective (1:17).
  4. He deepened his experience of worship and prayer (2:1-9).
  5. He progressed toward a new level of personal freedom (2:10).
  6. He enjoyed partnership with God (3:1-9).
  7. He gained satisfaction of seeing changed lives (3:10).

Success comes from taking the initiative and following up... persisting... eloquently expressing the depth of your love. What simple action could you take today to produce a new momentum toward success in your life? - Tony Robbins

What is God calling you to do today? Don’t run from that commitment…take the initiative and act!