Unflinching Leadership

I was recently asked to write an article for Missio Nexus, an amazing missional community with more than 53,000 member organizations, churches, and businesses engaged in the Great Commission. As I wrote this, I had All Nations in mind. I wanted to share this with you and hope it ministers to you. I hope you sense the increased tangible presence of the Lord in your life and leadership in this season.

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Great leaders are often birthed in crisis. Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy once said, “Great crises produce great deeds of courage.” Missions today exists in this VUCA 21st Century that is increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. The center of gravity for Christianity has shifted to regions where the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) is trailing, where socioeconomic issues and strife proliferate. We are also mobilizing and sending global workers in a time of unprecedented persecution and martyrdom. God is using extreme trials, both personal and social, to shape us into unflinching leaders. He forges leaders out of burnt rubble.

This was literally true of Nehemiah. The report that Nehemiah received was, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” (Nehemiah 1:3) God’s people were soaked in shame. All the defenses and infrastructure were in shambles.

The devastation so gripped Nehemiah’s heart that he wept for days (v.4). The brokenness of God’s people and city consumed him. He was distraught and this state pushed him toward fasting, prayer, and repentance. The situation was impossible. The walls and gates had been in disrepair for more than 90 years since the first group of Jews returned to Jerusalem. But after three months of prayer and fasting, the crisis ignited a God-size vision: “Even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.” (v.9). A vision breaks through from the lowest point. And leadership is forged in the crucible.

God does not birth a vision without hands and feet. He calls those who have wept. The months of wrestling turns into an unrelenting call to tackle specific issues. And God entrusts simple cupbearers like us with his mandate. The prayer ends with Nehemiah taking personal responsibility and action, asking God for success (v.11). He was afraid (2:3), just like we often are. But he shot out arrow prayers throughout his life for just-in-time help (2:4).

Like us leaders called to God’s mission, Nehemiah’s first tasks were to secure a visa (2.9), fundraise for resources (2:8), and make a vision trip (2:11). He then hurled the crisis into vision casting: “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So, they strengthened their hands for the good work.” (2:17-18).

The immediate response to this vision was instant warfare and opposition from key leaders. Nehemiah and his people were taunted, maligned, attacked, threatened with death, and facing an end to their work (4:11).

But Nehemiah challenged the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” (3:14) His last words were, “Remember me with favor, my God” (13:31).

Unflinching leadership led to the wall being built, the poor fed, worship and scripture restored, and justice administered. For those of us who daringly seize Kingdom issues, He gives the courage, vision, resources, and favor to fulfill our calling – always despite great opposition.

Blessings,

Dr. Mary Ho, DSL

All Nations International, Inc. | International Executive Leader
Reaching the neglected globally -- the least, the last, and the lost
comm@allnations.international
www.allnations.international

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