Three Essentials for Developing & Fulfilling a Vision

Vision is one of the most important defining characteristics of effective leadership.

A valuable leadership vision - “one that focuses action, provides direction, and inspires your stakeholders in all parts of life to move in a direction you choose — is a compelling image of an achievable future.” (https://hbr.org/2009/05/the-most-compelling-leadership.html)

When a vision is well-articulated with passion, it's amazing how readily others will catch it and want to be involved in making it happen! There are countless examples of vision being created and achieved in the Bible. One that especially stands out is the story of Nehemiah’ who was devastated by the deteriorated condition of his ancestral city, Jerusalem. Let’s look at three essentials to the shaping and the accomplishment of Nehemiah’s vision in chapter one.

1. Creating a Vision

Vision often emerges out of a present need or a need in the future. This was Nehemiah’s experience: 

³ They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” ⁴ When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

Nehemiah’s first response was an emotional one in the presence of the Lord.

He began by acknowledging who God is and admitted his own inadequacy. He claimed the promises of God and then made his request for help with clarifying and confirming his vision for Jerusalem.

Nehemiah knew he would need approval by the right people (the king), and he’d have to do his homework.

¹¹ So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, ¹² I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me.

I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except

the donkey I was riding. ¹³ After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate

to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. ¹⁴ Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey

couldn’t get through the rubble. ¹⁵ So, though it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley instead, inspecting the wall

before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate.

Then, Nehemiah went about creating a vision and a plan for what the future could look like for Jerusalem. 

Does your vision include acknowledging who

God is and what He has called you to do?

2. Communicating a Vision

After seeking God’s face and doing his preliminary research behind the senses, Nehemiah was ready to share his vision. 

A well-articulated vision presented with passion can inspire others to take on the challenge. This was precisely Nehemiah’s experience:

¹⁷ But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates

have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!”

¹⁸ Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me,

and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!”

So they began the good work.

God’s people were inspired, for Nehemiah’s passionate presentation had all of the hallmarks of an amazing vision. He had sought God’s direction, gained approval and support from the King, and had done his initial research. 

Are you passionate about the vision God has

given you and able to inspire others to action? 

3. Committing to a Vision

Once a commitment to a vision has been made, it’s not uncommon for issues, opposition and obstacles to emerge. But, flexing his plans to handle whatever occurred, Nehemiah responded, with confidence, to the opposition that God was on their side.

¹⁹ But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously.

“What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked. ²⁰ I replied,

“The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall.

But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”

Ultimately, a team of inspired and committed people can accomplish amazing goals! This is exactly what happened to God’s people.

¹⁵ So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun. 

¹⁶ When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it,

they were frightened and humiliated.

They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.

What an amazing feat and the vision was fulfilled in only 52 days!

With your committed team, are you ready to handle

the obstacles and naysayers who get in the way of success?

A vision well-crafted with a sense of His blessing that is passionately communicated can inspire astonishing commitment to see it become a reality!

What vision has God given you to meet a need that He has brought to your attention? Can He count on your leadership to make it happen with the support of His people?