Enlisting Support for Your Dream

​Every dream needs support. True success is never a one-person show, and every dream will have opposition. Opportunity and opposition go together. 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:

• Wait for the right timing (Ecclesiastes 8:6). Nehemiah waited for the right time to ask the king, and he waited for three days after arriving in Jerusalem before taking action (Nehemiah 2:11).
• Do your homework to personally find out the facts. Listen before providing answers (Proverbs 23:23, Proverbs 18:13). Accompanied by a few people, Nehemiah secretly inspected the ruins at night to size up the project (Nehemiah 2:12-16).
• Protect the dream. It’s easy to kill a good idea (Ecclesiastes 3:7). For some time, Nehemiah did not disclose to anyone what God had put on his heart (Nehemiah 1:12, 2:16). Many were resigned to the ruin, particularly when others had attempted but failed to rebuild the walls.
• Disclose the dream using “we.” Nehemiah used “we,” not “I” (Nehemiah 2:17). Identifying with others makes it easier for them to accept your ideas.
• Create discontent with the conditions people are used to. Then paint a picture of how things could be (Nehemiah 2:17).
• Appeal to their hearts, their dignity (Nehemiah 2:17), such as “Do this and you will feel good about yourself, and God will be glorified.”
• Share your own story to inspire others. Nehemiah shared with them how God had helped him via the king (Nehemiah 2:18).
• Ask for help fearlessly and specifically. Nehemiah asked them specifically to rebuild the wall (Nehemiah 2:17).
• Don’t spend too much time on naysayers. Instead, focus on the work. Nehemiah just responded and trusted God to help (Nehemiah 2:20).

 
As we can see, his vision had been transferred to many. "Let us start building,” they said (Nehemiah 2:18). After 90 years of ruin, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days!
 
Don’t worry. Commit your dream to God and trust Him (Psalm 37:5, Proverbs 16:3, 1 Peter 5:7). Focus on others’ needs. Attempt great things for Him and expect great things from Him.
 
Summary of a sermon by Rick Warren:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzVR8-Cvl3M starting at 14 minutes
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