Occupational Hazard Of A Leader

We come to the point in Nehemiah's task where he has completed his inspection of the walls around Jerusalem and he is now ready to get on with the job of rebuilding the walls. Nehemiah has done his homework, he is fully informed about every detail of the situation. In verse seventeen of chapter two, Nehemiah presents the plan and the vision to the people. Without the willingness of the people to catch the vision and to buy into the plan, the walls will not be rebuilt. Speaking with confidence, Nehemiah assures the people that with God's help, they will succeed. The latter part of verse eighteen states; "They replied, let us start rebuilding."

But then, as we pick up in verse nineteen, opposition strikes head on. We wonder sometimes why we have to face opposition and criticism so often in trying to implement our plans. Well, I believe we can look at it as just the occupational hazard of leadership. There is always someone who resist change, has a better way, or, just has a negative spirit. Regardless of the reason or motive, seldom does opposition not rear its ugly head. If not dealt with properly, that opposition and criticism can bring on discouragement and even a question of God's will. It is at these times that our leadership skill is put to the strongest of test.

1st Timothy 3:1 tells us; "Here is a trustworthy saying; if anyone sets his heart on being an overseer (leader), he desires a noble task." In other words, to aspire for leadership is an honorable profession. The greatest crisis today in business, industry, government, and churches, is a crisis of leadership. And it is never more needed than when the forces of opposition come against us and the plan God has given us. Where do we find these leaders? I believe there are some who have been given the gift of leadership. But others of us need to develop those characteristics that make good leaders, especially those that deal with overcoming opposition. 

Without question, we must retain a clear cut objective of what we are trying to accomplish. "Without a vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18. It is easy to lose this vision when we are bombarded by those who want to defeat us. Good leaders not only maintain their vision, but are able to help those on the team do the same. Our objective determines our outcome - we achieve that for which we aim. The apostle Paul states one of my favorite passages in Philippians 3: 12-14: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining to what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  While late in the life of Paul when everyone else was looking for a rocking chair, Paul was looking for a challenge.

In order to meet the challenge of opposition, good leaders need to develop a Paul kind of staying power - we need to be persistent at the task. For some, when we meet a problem or difficult circumstance, we develop an attitude of no need in trying. For others, a little criticism comes along and we fold up. Good leaders not only can run the short distances, but have the staying power to run the long distance. They catch that second wind. Leaders, also, need to develop a character of resistance. Persistence has to do with attitude, resistance has to do with action. It is not a person who is resistant to new ideas, but one who is resistant to criticism. It is this criticism that has the greatest tendency to destroy a lot of ideas and leaders. Many people can be wiped out with just one statement of criticism. But the leader who has developed the quality of resistance will continue to move forward - "pressing on" beyond the difficult circumstances and the criticism.

Look at Nehemiah's response to the opposition facing him in verse twenty. " I answered them by saying,The God of heaven will give us success. We, his servants, will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem, or any claim, or any historic right to it." Nehemiah faced his opposition and criticism head on. He recognized the opposition was coming from those who had no dog in the fight. Nehemiah moved beyond the difficult circumstance and beyond the criticism. He prayed, put his faith in God, and he kept on doing what needed to be done to finish the wall. The occupational hazard was overcome by real occupational leadership.