* He knows how to paint a vision and get everyone on board.
* But what Nehemiah shows us here is the wisdom of getting your ducks in a row before you do it.
* He didn’t share what he wanted to do until he got all the information he needed to get.
* Backstory - Nehemiah was heartbroken over the plight of the Jews.
* He knew he could do something about it.
* So he started dreaming, and planning, and moving toward it.
* Finally, he got the greenlight.
* Vs 11-12 - “I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.”
* Too often a leader will cast a vision without fully considering what all it will entail.
* It ends up costing him and those around him more than it should have cost.
* Damaged relationships, loss of money, increased anxiety, etc.
* All because the leader didn’t let the vision marinate.
* EX: Mary - she “pondered in her heart.”
* KEY 1 - when it comes to vision, stir it up before you let it out!
* Don’t speak too soon, otherwise people will activate on your vision and you’ll end up regretting it.
* EX: King David saying he wished he could drink from a particular well.
* EX: me activating on a digital business before I fully considered everything.
* Once Nehemiah got his ducks in a row, he spoke to the people.
* Notice what he said first:
* Vs 17 - “Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.”
* KEY 2 - when it comes to vision, set it up when you let it out!
* You have to create context around your vision.
* Nehemiah first presented the problem, then he gave the solution.
* A great vision caster will paint a clear picture of the problem first.
* Then give the solution to the problem.
* EX: Jesus at the Sermon on the Mount - “You’ve heard it said…”