Haunting Last Words

Nehemiah faces another crucible in chapter 13. He has to report back to the king so he entrusts various responsibilities to others. When Nehemiah returns, he finds far-reaching corruption beginning in the house of God. Everything that Nehemiah had worked so hard for stood in jeopardy, and he had to turn things around - again.

As his role changes his attitude does as well. He continues to seek God and pray, but he also takes some pretty aggressive, angry actions as he tries to clean-up all the corruption. Threats, curses, beatings, banishings. He even pulled out people’s hair. Per Jim Collins in his book “Good to Great” great leaders look into the mirror for blame and out the window for credit. Nehemiah does the opposite; losing the edge of greatness he had risen to.

So why does Nehemiah act so out of character?

Granted Nehemiah made a HUGE mistake in appointing Eliashib as a leader and we can learn a lot of from his experience… But Nehemiah is the only one responsible for his own reactions and actions.

One speculation is that Nehemiah burned out and became distressed feeling like all of his work had been in vain. Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Like things were hopeless? Like efforts were futile and it didn’t matter how hard you tried?

I hate to admit it, but I’ve felt this way. It sounds so - I don’t know … “unspiritual” - given that I’m a missionary, but I’m also human. Ministry is hard work! Sometimes prayers aren’t answered the way we expect. Sick people die instead of being healed. For every person saved and every student reached, there are tens of thousands more to go. And sometimes one grievous mistake can undo 5, 10, or more years of hard work.

Perhaps Nehemiah was in over his head in terms of competency. Perhaps he needed to learn more about selecting and training leaders. Perhaps his faith weakened and he lost sight of God’s presence and calling. Feelings of futility are a red flag that tells us we’re burning out and need to take immediate action to restore ourselves and our relationship with God.

I’ve often heard it said that character is what squeezes out of us when we’re pressed. In Nehemiah’s case it became some pretty yucky stuff. His words haunt us at the end. “Remember me with favor, o my God.” It’s like he knows he’s far off track and in need of favor, even mercy, grace and forgiveness.

What can we learn from Nehemiah’s example about heeding the warning signs and staying on track? I know I’m learning a lot.

Making Melodies

This week I visited 2 school assemblies – what a hoot! Our FlashPoint coaches did such an amazing job!

Great singing, funny skits, powerful testimonies, such a special way of relating to the kids, all topped off with a wonderful talent for teaching God’s truths in ways young people can understand and get excited about. Kinda like a Triple Threat of ministry (if there is such a thing). And judging from kids responses, everyone had a great time!

Our assemblies are ½ day events for schools that do not currently have FlashPoint classes. It’s a way we can teach and inspire even more youth about God’s purpose for their lives. This year our goal is to reach 3500 kids.

We begin with a group assembly for all 7th- 9th graders filled with singing, testimonies and skits to teach valuable lessons. “Making Melodies In My Heart” was hilarious with the goofy motions. Even the teachers got into the action. Next Coach Thapelo shared about his struggles growing up poor and feeling like poverty would prevent him from achieving his goals and dreams. Thapelo shared how discovering God’s love, purpose and help changed his life, and how God will also help each young person become who they were created to be. The skit reinforced that lesson in a funny, memorable way. Afterwards, the kids divided into classrooms for a 2 hour lesson about Living on Purpose – one of our FlashPoint curriculums.

These assemblies have a great impact with the students, and the educators as well. We spoke with the principals and they were excited, thankful, and honored that Ignite South Africa came to their school.

Please join us in praying for our assembly schools – that these kids make godly decisions in their lives and that someday we’re able to expand with weekly classes for them.

Second Only To Love

In talking to pastors and church leaders, we’ve found that Finances is an area where many struggle due to lack of training and limited resources. Did you know that the Bible has more than 2300 verses about money, second only to Love? Or that 2/3 of Jesus’ parables were about wealth, possessions, giving and stewardship?

Why the emphasis on money? Because it’s where we are tempted...humbled...and where we often struggle to trust in the Lord. It’s a source of life and blessing, but can also be a trap Satan uses to separate us from God. It’s the means by which we can do God’s work and bless others. And it’s a powerful witness, positive or negative, to Believers and non-Believers alike because it captures everyone’s attention.

How we manage our money – whether we have a lot or a little – reflects our relationship with God. So on June 13th, we pressed in to managing our money God’s way. Our workshop topics included having the right attitude about wealth, achieving financial freedom, tithing and giving, goal-setting and budgeting, and teaching biblical principles in the church.

When I asked the pastors how many had ever developed a budget or used one to manage their church or business finances, no one raised their hands. By the end of the workshop, all agreed that the information learned and practiced would be helpful in leading their congregations.

“As the teaching was given, I learned that I must do things God’s way, then implement what I learn in my life, business and church. I will teach my church the importance of tithing 10%, and also managing the other 90% well as stewards of what God provides.” – Pastor Thulo Shadrack Mile

“I will teach the church God’s principles about money and how to implement them. I will also apply what I have learned for myself and my household so that I can model what I teach.” – Pastor Stella Charlotte Molefe

Please join me in praying for these leaders as they model and teach what they have
learned.

Heal Our Land

On Sunday people from different churches within Harrismith gathered together for the Global Day of Prayer. It was amazing for me to see! And it reminded me of the EACH movement going on in metro-Detroit.

South Africa is such a beautiful and diverse country – and this gathering was just as beautiful and diverse. Black and White. Old and young. Different native languages. Different denominations and styles of worship. All united to pray and honor our one true Savior - in a small town in the middle of South Africa, across the nation, and around the world.

Check out www.globaldayofprayer.com for more info including statistics on each country participating. It’s pretty interesting.

In the 10 days leading up to this we had been praying for different things each day – for God to revive and unite His people, for Him to reveal Himself in mighty ways and be the Lord of every area of our lives, for transformation and provision, for forgiveness and reconciliation, and that the Lord be glorified across the world.

As we prayed, we also studied and reflected on Joel 2:12-32 which calls God’s people to return to Him, gather, reignite hope, celebrate all He is doing, and trust in His promises. The passage is a good reminder that even as Believers we can drift away in the currents of day-to-day life.

2 Chronicles 7: 14 “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Who could use some healing these days?

From Survival to Significance

After success rebuilding the walls, Nehemiah becomes governor of Jerusalem and then governor of Israel. Nehemiah’s leadership path takes a turn and everything changes – scale of responsibility, scope of duties, and complexity of role. Is Nehemiah still the right man for the job?

When Jerusalem was rebuilding the walls, their primary need was for survival and protection from their enemies. That’s a pretty strong motivator and unifier of people. We know Nehemiah faced challenges, but they were very different than what he faced as governor. After the walls were up, the need became for significance, restoration and renewal – spiritually, politically, and socially.

So Nehemiah jumped in with both feet.

Nehemiah began by reestablishing the spiritual, moral and legal foundation. They “assembled as one man” to hear Ezra read the law. They confessed, repented, and celebrated their newfound freedom and potential. Next they signed a binding agreement to show their commitment to God’s commands.

Nehemiah appointed leaders over the towns and provinces, and people resettled into their homes. We already know from previous experience that Nehemiah is gifted at motivating and mobilizing people, and the people had learned to respect and trust him. Next Nehemiah tackles economic reform – establishing a national treasury, making the first and largest gift himself, and revising tax practices to promote equity and protect the poor. And these are just a few of his accomplishments…

Nehemiah’s character and spiritual maturity served well in this new role as governor. Nehemiah also proved he could adapt his leadership to the new situations, and make decisions for the greater good often at personal cost.

The last year at Thrive Africa was survival mode and ultimately the Lord launched Ignite South Africa so that the work could survive. In some ways we’re still in survival mode as we build and gain momentum. I thank the Lord for his faithfulness and provision. For providing the leadership, vision, and resources we need. For raising up prayer and financial partners who make our work possible. For miraculously meeting our needs each month. I praise God for all these things. He’s clearly still with us.

And I look forward to the course in front of us – a journey that is rounding the corner into significance, restoration and renewal.

If our crucible experiences refine us as leaders, what can I learn from Nehemiah’s next one? What can you learn?