Get Support for Your Dream
A Lesson from Rick Warren
Every dream needs support. True success is never a one-person show, and every dream will have opposition. Opportunity and opposition go hand in hand. Many people oppose change, especially when it threatens their unfair advantages.
Let’s learn how Nehemiah enlisted support for the dream God put in his heart to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah’s methods to enlist support included:
As we can see, Nehemiah’s vision had been transferred to many. "Let us start building,” they said. After 90 years of ruin, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in just 52 days (Nehemiah 2:18)!
Don’t worry. Commit your dream to God and trust in Him. Focus on others’ needs. Attempt great things for Him and expect great things from Him (Psalm 37:5, Proverbs 16:3, 1 Peter 5:7).
Summary of a sermon by Rick Warren:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzVR8-Cvl3M starting at 14 minutes
Let’s learn how Nehemiah enlisted support for the dream God put in his heart to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah’s methods to enlist support included:
- Waiting for the right timing. Nehemiah waited for the right time to ask the king, and he waited for three days after arriving in Jerusalem before taking action (Ecclesiastes 8:6, Nehemiah 2:11).
- He did his homework to personally find out the facts. Likewise, we should listen before providing answers. Accompanied by a few people, Nehemiah secretly inspected the ruins at night to size up the project (Proverbs 23:23, Proverbs 18:13, Nehemiah 2:12-16).
- Protecting the dream. It’s easy to kill a good idea. For some time, Nehemiah did not disclose to anyone what God had put on his heart. Many were resigned to the ruin, particularly when others had attempted but failed to rebuild the walls (Ecclesiastes 3:7, Nehemiah 2:12, 2:16).
- Disclosing the dream using “we.” Nehemiah used “we,” not “I.” Identifying with others makes it easier for them to accept your ideas (Nehemiah 2:17).
- Creating discontent with the conditions people were used to. Nehemiah then painted a picture of how things could be (Nehemiah 2:17).
- Appealing to their hearts and their dignity, such as “Do this and you will feel good about yourself, and God will be glorified.” (Nehemiah 2:17).
- Sharing your own story to inspire others. Nehemiah shared with them how God had helped him through the king (Nehemiah 2:18).
- Asking for help fearlessly and specifically. Nehemiah asked them specifically to rebuild the wall (Nehemiah 2:17).
- Nehemiah didn’t spend too much time on the naysayers. Instead, he focused on the work. He responded and trusted God to help (Nehemiah 2:20).
As we can see, Nehemiah’s vision had been transferred to many. "Let us start building,” they said. After 90 years of ruin, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in just 52 days (Nehemiah 2:18)!
Don’t worry. Commit your dream to God and trust in Him. Focus on others’ needs. Attempt great things for Him and expect great things from Him (Psalm 37:5, Proverbs 16:3, 1 Peter 5:7).
Summary of a sermon by Rick Warren:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzVR8-Cvl3M starting at 14 minutes