“Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode.” (Nehemiah 2:12, ESV)
When Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem, he does not tell anyone about his vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He goes out in the night to survey the city. There would come a time to share the vision. But this was not it.
Nehemiah displays humility. He does not boast. He does not make promises he could not keep. Instead, he gets to work. He begins accessing the situation. He begins to formulate a plan. There was preparation to be done.
For every leader, the hardest work is often the preparation. This preparation is not in front of people but is behind closed doors. It takes place in the quiet. It is birth out of prayer, opening the Word, and silently pondering the situation. We chart the course before we begin to lead the way. We need time to think and to hear from God. This usually happens when people are not around.
We fail to lead well because we fail to prepare well. We will recognize great leaders by what happens on the stage. But great leaders are made by what happens before they walk on the stage.
There is a great adage: under-promise, but over-deliver. Don’t tell people the great things you can accomplish. Show the great things God will accomplish through you with the right preparation.
Reflection
- What great thing has God called you to accomplish?
- How do you go about planning to lead?
Prayer
Lord, you have called me to lead others. I recognize that great leadership happens through great preparation. Help me be diligent in my preparation. Give me the determination to put in the effort required. And grant me grace where my preparation is inadequate. Amen.
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