Life can get pretty complicated at times. We can step out on a mission convinced we are undertaking a plan anointed by God, but after getting half way into the project, we find ourselves hitting a wall. Nehemiah was much the same way at this point in his quest to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. He had a plan ordained by God, inspired by God, and led by God. He had the purist of purpose, he had planed and prayed extensively, and yet, Nehemiah has hit the wall of resistance. And now, he faces a people who have come to an attitude of complete discouragement.  

What can be more simple than building a wall? Nehemiah has all the materials needed, and a team of people who have a personal interest in building the wall. What can go wrong on this kind of project? Verse 10 of chapter 4 gives us the answer to why things were beginning to deteriorate and the people becoming discouraged. " Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much ruble that we cannot rebuild the wall."  At this point, they are half way through completing the wall. Timing is everything in any situation. In cases like this, it is at the half way point that we can find ourselves with the biggest challenges. If we are not careful, with newness warring off and the end appearing so far away, we too can lose our strength. 

I recently undertook the journey of climbing Pikes Peak (14,110 feet elev.) just outside Colorado Springs, Colorado. I must admit this was the most physical and mental challenge I have ever undertaken. I had attempted this climb earlier to celebrate my 65th birthday, but was unable to complete the last 1,000 ft. due to extreme cold and heavy rain. It was a very disappointing decision to abandon the climb, but you do not want to be on the top of Pikes Peak with the chance of hypothermia and possible lightning. So, five years later at the age of 70, here we go. It was about half way up, some three hours into the climb, that I began to hit my wall of discouragement. Tired and weary, I happened to look out in the distance when one of the team pointed out the top of the mountain. My heart sank and I could feel discouragement setting in - it looked so far away. I thought for a moment if I had the strength to make it that far.

The people with Nehemiah made another mistake. They took their eyes off the the goal and lost the vision. Their concentration was on the ruble and not the vision of a  completed wall. All they could see was the problems around and ahead of them. At that half way point in my journey up the Pike, I suddenly realized that I could not look at the height and distance point so far away. I began to pick out a point up the mountain that was in my immediate sight and my goal was to get to that point. These became little goals to reach me to the ultimate goal, but in the back of my mind was me standing on top of Pikes Peak.   

The latter part of verse 10 shows us a picture of the most devastating experience in leadership. The people had come to the conclusion - "we cannot rebuild the wall." The ultimate of discouragement is the loss of confidence. They had lost their strength, lost the vision, and now had lost the confidence the wall could ever be completed. Loss of confidence can not only destroy the team, but it can also be devastating on the leader. How do you lead a team when no one has the confidence the task can be completed? At several times though my climb, I was fortunate to have my daughter and son-in-law on my side. They, along with some of their close friends, kept encouraging me along the way. When we would reach critical points of steepness, or, when we had gotten to the point where the oxygen was so thin you could hardly breath, they were beside me with those famous words along the way- "we can do this Jack."

Finally, in verse 11, we see not only have the people become tired, lost the vision, lost their confidence, but now they have lost their security. " Also our enemies said, Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work." I had made it past the point where five years ago I had to abandon the climb. We proceeded on, victory was but a 1,000 foot climb. Soon we came to where once again we could see the top. I looked up and shock hit me like the whole mountain had fallen on me. The last 200 yards was almost straight up over large jagged rocks and there seemed to be no air.