The One Person Who Can Change the World Part I:
The One Person Who Can Change the World Part I:
Nehemiah 4: 1-23
Down through the centuries, numerous people have despite insurmountable odds against them, changed the course of world history. Witness here in the United States alone, I highlight three individuals who by their actions, attitude and accomplishments single-handedly changed this nation’s course of history for the better. We as a nation are that much better for their self-less determination to put country first, before any personal accolades. I speak initially of President’s Abraham Lincoln, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King. Sadly all three paid the ultimate price for their actions.
As we start a new series on Crunch Time in Leadership: Part I, I am seeking to focus on one of the greatest and best known and admired servant’s of God’s in the Old Testament: a true leader by the name of Nehemiah. I am not going to go over the beginnings of the story. Let’s face facts here, Nehemiah left a cushy position as the cup-bearer in the court of King Artaxerxes of Persia, to return to Jerusalem. He went from the penthouse to the outhouse. Nehemiah, who lived in Babylon, was part of the disapora, or those scattered by God after the fall of Jerusalem. Yet he truly longed to be back in his native land.
Nehemiah, upon hearing of the failed attempts at the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, petitioned King Artaxerxes to allow him to go back and oversee the rebuilding of the walls after numerous failed attempts. The king, due to Nehemiah’s exemplary service, allowed him to go, even giving him safe passage by witness of his seal on all of Nehemiah’s travel documents. When he arrived, he was met with great opposition from Sanballat, the Horonite and his followers. Sanballat thought it as great humor that Nehemiah was coming back to oversee the re-building of the walls of Jerusalem. He did everything he could to stop the process. Never the less, Nehemiah and those who had joined him, carried on with their mission. Nehemiah was focused on the task at hand and nothing or no one was going to stop the completion of their arduous undertaking.
Sanballat was not alone in his negative commentary. Others such as: Tobiah, the Ammonites, the Ashdodites and other contemporaries of Nehemiah, were just as eager to dispel the work being done by Nehemiah and those around him. Fleshing this point out even further isn’t it true when we face a task of great importance, there can be at times; those around us who seek to keep us from completing the task at hand. I think the greatest example of that was in the life of Job. Suffice to say he had three so-called friends who hounded him during his greatest time of trial and truly testing his faith when he most needed it. Presidents Lincoln, Kennedy and Rev. King and other great leaders will always face obstacles in seeking to accomplish what they have set out to achieve and you and I will be no different.
Yet Nehemiah would have none of it. He prayed and clearly told God what was going on (as if God didn’t already know). Those who were against Nehemiah were enraged that the work was actually getting done. They made preparations to tear down all the work Nehemiah and those working with him, had accomplished. The people even started to bellyache and devise schemes stating that now that the walls were almost completed, they would be targets of war again. He called the people together and told them not to worry that nothing would happen to them, as God was on their side and that He would fight in front of them and for them. As a result, the task was complete and the walls were rebuilt.
There is a story in this, I think for all of us. First Nehemiah’s actions, attitude and accomplishments were not self motivated. He truly put the city of Jerusalem and its people first. Secondly he knew that opposition would come and he was ready for it. Third, he had a plan and he stuck to it. Finally, He had the help and support of God and the Holy Spirit to help and guide him through any obstacles he needed to overcome.
The lesson here is that you are that one person as well. With all great leaders like Nehemiah or Lincoln, Kennedy or King and common folk like you and I, we all face trials and obstacles. It is how we overcome them to be the one person who can change the world as they did and you can to. So my question for you this week is: Are you will to do what it takes to be that person: who by your actions, attitude and accomplishments can change the world or the world you live in? It is a question only you can answer.
Until next week for Part II, know I am thinking and praying for you to be that one person.
Walking with you,
