I recently read the excellent book by Super Bowl champion coach of the Indianapolis Colts Tony Dungy entitled, Quiet Strength. Among many, a section that really summarized some great leadership truths was where Dungy talked about what he learned from studying the book of Nehemiah in the Bible. He and one of his spiritual mentors took a whole summer to focus just on that one book. His summary of his leadership lessons from that study are simple and important. I will include them in their entirity here:
"Tom pointed out that most of the failings of biblical leaders were spiritual rather than tactical. I learned three key truths from Nehemiah. First, Nehemiah’s opportunity came in God’s time, not his own. Second, Nehemiah diligently prepared his mind and his heart so he would be ready when God’s time arrived. Third, Nehemiah needed to be prepared to take on the problems, doubts, and adversity that would come his way both from the outside and from within."
In summary of Dungy’s summary 🙂
1. opportunity is in God’s timing
2. prepare so your’e ready when opportunity hits
3. learn to handle struggle
I think Dungy’s summary here is excellent. Who among us has not gotten frustrated at least once about the timing of things? Who hasn’t gotten impatient wondering why increase and success seem slow to find us? It is salve to a wound to realize it is all in God’s perfect timing!
As to preparedness: I used to think that all I needed was an opportunity, but what I really needed was proper thinking and the maturity that could only come through proper preparation. For this reason I am thankful to the many authors, speakers, and great examples that have gone before me that have become so much a part of my preparation (and I have really only just begun the journey of growing and learning and getting better, to which many of you are much relieved to hear, I am sure!). As the saying goes, success occurs when opportunity and preparedness meet. It is interesting, though, how few people prepare properly for opportunity. They adopt a "wait and see" attitude, or an entitlement mentality. In a fast food culture they want everything instantly and refuse to put in the long, often hard hours of preparation. But those who prepare, who get their engines running before the gate drops, are those that prosper the most.
And the struggle? Well, it’s the struggle that builds strength and proves depth of character. We hate it while going through it but realize in retrospect that our struggles sometimes become our greatest allies.
So rely on God’s timing and allow that understanding to give you patience. Meanwhile, prepare and prepare, knowing that your day will come. And when it does, don’t expect a bed of roses, know that anything worthwhile will require effort and expense. Apply these three truths to your leadership arsenal and see if you don’t notice the results.
Do any of you have stories or experiences related to these three truths that could benefit other readers? If so, we’d like to hear them!
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