尼西米邁向成功的五個步驟
By Rick Boxx
有些人把聖經當成一本跟日常生活沒有關係的宗教書籍。但事實上，聖經是一本對生活各個層面，包括商業和職場都很實用的一本書。舊約的尼西米記就是最好的例子。西元前五年，尼西米是波斯國王亞達薛西王的親信，他重建了已經荒廢了超過一百四十年的耶路撒冷城。他成功重建了聖城的故事告訴了我們五個邁向成功的步驟。
第一、用禱告的方式 。耶路撒冷城當時是一片廢墟，尼西米很傷心。在告訴波斯王他想重建聖殿之前，他熱切地禱告。在告訴王之前三天，尼西米到耶路撒冷安靜地檢視了聖城損壞的部分。尼西米記2章13節記載：「當夜我出了谷門，往野狗井去（野狗：或譯龍），到了糞廠門，察看耶路撒冷的城牆，見城牆拆毀，城門被火焚燒。」如果你期待一個新的計畫或是你的團隊能成功，請你開始禱告，並且具體地檢視當時的狀況。
第二、擁有一個確切的異象。一百五十年以來，沒有人重建過耶路撒冷，也沒人相信重建聖殿是可能或是必要的。然而，尼西米有更遠大的異象。為了要實踐這個異象，他告訴人們：「我們所遭的難，耶路撒冷怎樣荒涼，城門被火焚燒，你們都看見了。來吧，我們重建耶路撒冷的城牆，免得再受凌辱！」(尼西米記2章17節)
第三、找到能激勵人心的領袖。在尼西米的年代，大祭司是非常有影響力的。如果領袖不參與，就不會有人跟隨。尼希米知道大祭司和地方的商業領袖都相當有影響力，所以他靠著神的幫助，鼓勵地方的商業領袖參與了聖城城牆的重建，也說服了當時的大祭司以利亞實帶領建造的工作。「那時，大祭司以利亞實和他的弟兄眾祭司起來建立羊門，分別為聖，安立門扇，又築城牆到哈米亞樓，直到哈楠業樓，分別為聖。」 (尼西米記3章1節)
第四、建造合作的團隊。耶路撒冷的城牆超過四十個部分需要修補。如果每個團隊只專注在他們自己那一部分，城牆就很容易倒塌。所以，他們需要團隊合作，才能完成重建城牆、以防禦敵人這個更偉大的目標。「從那日起，我的僕人一半做工，一半拿槍、拿盾牌、拿弓、穿（或譯：拿）鎧甲，官長都站在猶大眾人的後邊。」(尼西米記4章16節)
第五、鼓勵委身和負責。當災難臨到，團隊有可能做鳥獸散或變得更強。一個好的領袖能夠做出正確的回應。當時尼西米和他的團隊受到許多死亡的威脅，他們會感到害怕是正常的。如果沒有堅定的委身，尼西米可能會失去他的團隊。因此他鼓勵他們說，「我察看了，就起來對貴冑、官長，和其餘的人說：「不要怕他們！當記念主是大而可畏的。你們要為弟兄、兒女、妻子、家產爭戰。」」(尼西米記4章14節)」
本文版權為正直資源中心（Integrity Resource Center, Inc.）所有。本文獲得授權改編自瑞克．博克思的正直時刻Integrity Moments with Rich Boxx。這系列的文章是以一個基督徒的觀點評論職場的正直議題。更多相關訊息請上www.integrityresource.org。瑞克的新書「非典型企業」(Unconventional Business)提供了五個用神的方式來使企業成長的關鍵。
省思與問題討論
你對於把聖經當成是職場上，實用的生活指南有甚麼看法？你認為在職場上能應用聖經的原則嗎？請分享你的答案。 尼西米能成功地重建城牆的第一個步驟是禱告。在開始一個新的計劃開始執行之前你是否會禱告？請分享你的答案。 對於尼西米成功重建耶路撒冷城牆的五個步驟，你有甚麼看法？有哪一個步驟是你覺得不必要的嗎？如果有的話，請分享你的答案。 要建立一個願意委身和負責的團隊是否很困難？請分享你的答案。
備註：如果你手上有聖經，希望能閱讀更多關於這個主題的經文，請參考：箴言27章17節、29章18節；傳道書4章9-12節；腓立比書4章6-7節；帖撒羅尼迦前書5章17節
5 STEPS TO SUCCESS, MODELED BY NEHEMIAH
By Rick Boxx
Some people view the Bible strictly as a religious book, failing to see its relevance for every day. However, it can serve as a very practical, common sense guide for any aspect of life – including the business and professional world. No better example could be cited than the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. A trusted adviser to Persian king Artaxerxes in the 5th century B.C., he dreamed of rebuilding Jerusalem, reduced to mostly rubble for more than 140 years. The account of Nehemiah shows five key steps he took that paved the way for restoring the city:
1. Prayerful assessment. Learning Jerusalem was in ruins, Nehemiah”s heart broke. He prayed fervently before approaching the king to ask his blessing to pursue the reconstruction project. After receiving approval, Nehemiah then went to Jerusalem and quietly assessed the damage for three days before taking action. Nehemiah 2:13 states, "So I went out at night…inspecting the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were consumed by fire." If you desire a new project or your team to be successful, start with prayer, then objectively assess the situation.
2. A compelling vision. For nearly a century and a half, no one had revived the city of Jerusalem; few people believed it was possible, or even necessary. Nehemiah, however, had a much bigger vision. For it to become reality, he needed the locals to catch his vision. He said to the people, "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" (Nehemiah 2:17). If you desire a team to follow you, communicating a compelling vision for the future is crucial.
3. Find the right leaders for leverage. In those days, the high priest was very powerful. If that leader did not participate, few would follow. Along with the high priest, Nehemiah knew local business leaders would be very influential. With God's help, he managed not only to engage business leaders in rebuilding certain sections of the wall, but also convinced Eliashib, the high priest, to lead the charge. Nehemiah 3:1 tells us, "Eliashib, the high priest, and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate." To form a strong team that gets results, recruit and leverage people of influence.
4. Build collaborative teams. More than 40 sections of the wall around Jerusalem needed repair. Each team could have focused on their piece of the wall, but without collaboration their section would become an island easily toppled. They needed to work together – to accomplish the bigger goal of rebuilding the wall, and to fight off enemies. "From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor" (Nehemiah 4:16). With collaborative teams, Nehemiah overcame opposition. If you desire a strong successful organization, build teams that work together.
5. Encourage commitment and accountability. When adversity comes, teams either fall apart or become stronger together. A good leader recognizes this and addresses adverse situations accordingly. Nehemiah and his team received multiple death threats; they were understandably scared. Nehemiah was at risk of losing his workers without their strong commitment. He encouraged them by saying, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes" (Nehemiah 4:14). He later encountered internal conflict as well, requiring that he hold his leaders accountable to God's standards. If you desire a successful project or business, encourage commitment and accountability.
Copyright 2017, Integrity Resource Center, Inc. Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. To learn more about Integrity Resource Center or to sign up for Rick”s daily Integrity Moments, visit www.integrityresource.org. His new book, Unconventional Business, provides “Five Keys to Growing a Business God”s Way.”
Reflection/Discussion Questions
What do you think of using the Bible as a guidebook for everyday practical matters in the business and professional world? Do you agree its principles are useful for the workplace? Why or why not? The first step in Nehemiah”s success in the effort to rebuild the ancient city of Jerusalem was prayerful assessment. Have you ever taken that approach when preparing to start a major project, praying before moving into action? Explain your answer. How do you respond to the progression of steps Nehemiah followed as he pursued the reconstruction of Jerusalem? Are there any of the steps that you would consider unnecessary? If so, why? Why can it be difficult to build collaborative teams having strong commitment that are willing to submit to accountability in their performance?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Proverbs 27:17, 29:18; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
