People are born to lead. Ever since God has made man, we were expected to lead. All of us, man, woman, young and old, in certain aspects of our lives had experienced to lead. We are leaders in our own fields. But as leaders, the efficient and effective ones are the ones who have battered lives and tattered situations. There hasn’t been an effective leader who wasn’t put to shame, who hasn’t had any problems. An efficient and effective leader is battered in so many ways. So many people in the bible, who were effective and efficient leaders, have a dark past, a dark history. And through the grace of our Lord, they were redeemed; they were used for the glory of God. And their lives are examples for us to know that leaders who are effective and efficient are leaders who have tattered situations and broken lives.
Nehemiah was a good example about a life that is tattered and broken. Nehemiah went back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls and gates. He wanted to bring back the honor and magnificence that was once Jerusalem. But this burden didn’t rise up just out of nowhere. It all started with a simple visit by his brethren from Judah. They reported what happened to the walls and gates of Jerusalem; how the province was in great affliction and reproach. The burden was so great that he mourned and fasted for many days. His cry and prayer were heard by God and the favor of God and man were given him. He was able to gain the authority and the materials to rebuild the ruined walls and gates of Jerusalem. But the work was not a smooth road to cross. There were obstacles both outside and inside Jerusalem. It was a hard road for Nehemiah to travel especially when he has a deadline to keep (he promised the king to return in a specific date).
There were two factors that opposed his mission:
1. Outside Factor
· Sanballat, Tobiah and others began to dishearten Nehemiah, even up to the point of killing him.
2. Inside Factor
· Not all participated in the work. The Nobles of the Tekoites didn’t risk assisting on the work.
· Shemaiah who asked Nehemiah to save himself by hiding within the temple.
· Nobles and rulers who exacted usury in the time of distress.
It is worth noting that there were more inside factors compared with the outside.
THE WALLS OF JERUSALEM
During ancient times, walls symbolize a city’s wealth, prestige and magnificence; the higher the walls, the higher her honor; the wider the walls, the wider her wealth; the more beautiful the walls, the more her magnificence. The walls of Jerusalem were broken down, signifying her conquered state; she was more prone to pirates, thieves and looters; her defense was weak.
Nehemiah saw with his very eyes the sorry state of Jerusalem. He, with the people of Jerusalem, started to repair the broken walls and burnt gates. He knew that without walls, a city is always in peril. He knew that by rebuilding the wall, the people of Jerusalem can regain their lost honor and magnificence.
They toiled for fifty-two days and were successful! Wait a minute… fifty-two days?! It is totally unbelievable, even now! How did they do it? What kind of building techniques did they use to finish the wall in just fifty-two days? Even if we consider our own technology, I believe that it will be totally impossible to build a wall that fast. There must be a secret behind it. The secret of Nehemiah’s success circles over his leadership qualities; he was faithful; he was energetic; he was courageous. His leadership was so infectious that the people of Jerusalem acted to rebuild that which was lost.
WALLS OF CHRISTIANITY
If we will parallel Nehemiah and the walls of Jerusalem, we are the walls while Jesus is Nehemiah. Note that Nehemiah didn’t build a new wall but repaired and rebuild it. Some people might disagree with this but stone builders know that an older brick is tougher than a new one. Nehemiah used what can be used and laid it as the walls’ foundation. He placed the new ones above; the tougher ones protect the newer ones by becoming the foundation of the walls. Furthermore, when Nehemiah rebuild the walls, he had high hopes that it will protect the city and restore the honor that was once hers.
I had said one prayer meeting that we are the old bricks from the wall of Jerusalem. The cement that was used (probably clay but much stronger than cement) represents the events and activities in the church; Sunday service, prayer meeting, anniversary, bible study, discipleship, etc. We are repaired by God and brought together through the events and activities of the church. But there are prerequisites to have a strong wall:
· Willingness - Christians must be willing to be part of the ministry that God has entrusted to each one. Even though the odds are against us, we must be willing to be used by God for His glory. Only through one’s leap of faith and walk of trust can one guarantee the grace and mercy of our Lord.
· Accountable - Christians must be accountable and responsible in all their actions. They must act with love and understanding. Only through compassioned attention can one be truly responsible and accountable.
· Learn (from the mistakes) - Avoid being on top. Tougher Christians are the foundation of the wall. They are to be meek; humbleness with authority. Learn to accept mistakes. Remember: Acceptance is better than cure.
· Lean (on to God) - Never put your faith to the ministry but rather place your faith on God. Always be ready to hear God’s instructions. Allow the moving of the Holy Spirit in your life.
· Servant - The toughest part of being a wall is servant-hood. The wall is used to protect whatever is inside. It acts as their guardian. Christians are the same. We protect whoever is given to us by God; just as Jesus protects whoever is given Him. Servant-hood focuses on discipleship and leading by example.
THE TROUBLED WALL
Not all situations in the ministry are bed of roses. There are obstacles that sometimes bring, even a seasoned Christian, down. Like what happened to the wall of Jerusalem, there are two factors that attack our ministerial-wall.
Outside Factor. These are problems and persecutions that occur outside the church and done by unbelievers. They tend to slack us down with the momentum we have started. They make our ministry-walk hard to cross by adding spikes, thorns and thistles along the way. Words like, “Pare-parehas lang ang Dios natin kaya wag ka ng maglingkod sa church at enjoy na lang tayo sa mundo.” Sad but true, but what is more saddening is that they were once believers and are backsliders. These are just some of the outside factors that tend to slow us down.
Inside Factor. Ever wanted to serve the Lord and someone inside the church prevents you from doing so? Ever wanted to join a certain ministry but a certain brethren prevents you from ever joining? Ever been mocked by a friend or a church leader when you attempted to make a step in serving God? Though the questions seemed far-fetched, it is not impossible. There are at times brethren who are stumbling-blocks to new believers; instead of being on-fire for the Lord, they were coldly rejected by leaders and fellow brethren. Like what happened to Nehemiah: Shemaiah acted to protect Nehemiah. The thought may be positive but the result will be negative. Nehemiah had discerned that Shemaiah was not sent by God but by his opposition. Thus, not all sound advice is positive. Always be aware of the effect of the decision that you will make.
Tattered Clothes and Broken Lives
Brethren, God use people to lead others back to Him. But God’s choice on leadership centers not on one’s talent but on one’s heart. He knows that effective leaders are broken and shamed. He knows that effective leaders had a dark past yet He uses them effectively in the ministry that He will entrust them. All of us either have broken lives or tattered situations but God loves to use people who are worn out and broken. He knows that they will be effective and efficient.
Let us, in one spirit and truth, serve the Lord. Let us praise Him and bless His name forevermore.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
1 Chron 16:34
Tattered Clothes, Battered Lives
By Ptr. JC Balao