Recruitment – You Don’t Have to Build Alone, Get Help!

More often than not, we find that the Lord places a project into our hands that is far bigger than us. It is easy to get caught up in the size of the project. The vast scope of the mission can be both overwhelming and paralysing. Another response to an enormous call from the Lord is to go out alone. Like Elijah, we can fall into the trap of thinking that we are the only one that God has spoken to or is still faithful to God in this area.

1 Kings 19: 10 - Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” (NLT)

But as with Elijah, this is not true. What may be true is that God is looking for you to be a leader or co-ordinator in that space.

1 Kings 19: 15,17 - Then the LORD told him,……..Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!” (NLT)

In today’s passage, we see that after Nehemiah had inspected the wall and understood the task, he approached the city officials and leaders. That is to say, he approached the people who knew the problem better than him - those who were experiencing the situation firsthand and had expertise that he did not.

Nehemiah 2:17 - 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!” (NLT)

These people were experts in the problem and were aware that something had to be done. All that they were unsure of (I think) was whether Nehemiah was capable of leading them to a solution. It is for this reason that Nehemiah recounted his story to them.

Nehemiah 2:18a - Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. (NLT)

To recruit the city leaders, Nehemiah had to convince them that he was the right leader and that the Lord was with him. Once they were convinced, they were on board and committed to working with him to solve the problem.

Nehemiah 2:18b - They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work. (NLT)

How does this apply to us today? For some of us, to complete the task that the Lord has spoken to us about, we need to recruit people who already understand the problem and the space we are trying to work in. This may involve working alongside people through volunteering or serving in what already exists so that people can trust us. It may mean networking and developing connections in the area before launching out. These connections may become your helpers, and fellow builders or introduce you to your financiers.

Nehemiah could have turned up in Jerusalem, inspected the wall and then started rebuilding the wall himself. Perhaps as he was rebuilding, people would have joined him because they were interested in solving the problem. But he may not have finished the project or it may have taken him a lot longer had he not involved those in leadership in Jerusalem at the very beginning.

Questions for reflection: Am I willing to learn from and work with those in the area the Lord is calling me to? Have I approached people to get their input and advice? Do I have past testimonies that I can share as I recruit people to work with? Have I asked for forgiveness where I have thought I am the only one God is working with and through? Have I asked the Holy Spirit to help me find helpers?