Hands-On Spiritual Leadership | Nehemiah 3:1-2

Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built. — Nehemiah 3:1-2 SHOUT OUT: Tom Vigorito who is on the Board for Legacy Minded Men in Arizona. I spoke at ZonaMen about a year and a half ago, and he faithfully shares our devotionals with over 70 men regularly. Thanks, brother. I read these verses yesterday to give an overview of the chapter, but today, I want to dive deeper into the context. Eliashib was the grandson of Jeshua and a pivotal figure during the reconstruction of the temple. What strikes me most is how he and his fellow priests rolled up their sleeves to get their hands dirty. These spiritual leaders were more than just idle observers; they were active participants in the project. Eliashib wasn't sitting around drinking coffee; he was right there, with them, in the work. The Sheep Gate was essentially the gate that the men of the cloth most used. Located closest to the temple, it was the primary entry for bringing in sheep for sacrifice. The men of the cloth who worked on this particular section of the wall and gate were both fitting and a way for them to take ownership of a part of their daily life and ministry. Its restoration, listed first, was the first move towards rebuilding the wall and revitalizing the city spiritually. Given this text, I wanted to make the application very practical for you. Here are a few things you can do to spiritually lead as a man, husband, father, and business leader today: Be More Hands-On in Your Leadership: Participate in chores, help with a project, or engage in service. Don't just lead from afar; be a part of the team. Create a Spiritual Entry: Establish a space for spiritual activities like prayer meetings, devotional times, or spiritual discussions. Spiritual activity doesn't just happen. You have to lead others to it. Lead by Example in Spiritual Practices: Openly engage in personal spiritual practices like prayer and the study of Scripture. Don't just hide it. Set a Bible out and leave it open. Let people catch you doing it. Your example might inspire them to do the same. Involve Your Family or Team in Service: Organize a service project. Volunteer at a local shelter, participate in a church project or serve a neighbor in need. This is an incredible way to connect the truth of the gospel to real life. Celebrate Spiritual Milestones: Establish and celebrate spiritual milestones with your family and friends, signaling to them the things you value. As you stand before your own leadership project today, choose one of these five actions and get involved as a spiritual leader. Your decision to act, no matter how small, can ignite a transformative path for your leadership and for those you lead. Let today be the day you turn broken-down walls into something rebuilt, beautiful, and spiritual. ASK THIS: In what areas of your life, be it at home, work, or in your community, can you take a more hands-on approach to leadership, similar to Eliashib’s involvement in rebuilding the Sheep Gate? How can your active participation in these areas not only benefit the tasks at hand but also inspire and uplift those around you? Consider the concept of the Sheep Gate as a spiritual entry point. What specific steps can you take to establish a "spiritual gate" in your own environment, whether it’s a dedicated space for prayer and reflection at home or a regular time for spiritual discussion in your small group? How can this space or practice help to strengthen your and others’ spiritual journey? DO THIS: Take one of the five steps above and do it. PRAY THIS: Father, guide me to lead with the dedication and humility of Eliashib, actively participating in the spiritual and practical needs of those around me. Help me to create meaningful spiritual spaces in my life, fostering a deeper connection with You and inspiring those I lead towards a path of faithful service. Amen. PLAY THIS: God Turn It Around. Check out other all Vince Miller's videos and audios for small groups at: https://beresolute.org/ Get Vince's most widely read resources The Daily Devotional at: https://beresolute.org/mdd Check out more ALL IN products like the one Vince is wearing at: https://beresolute.org/product-category/all-in-hats/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Vince socially: FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/millervince INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/vinceleemiller LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincemiller TWITTER: https://twitter.com/vinceleemiller