STRENGHTENING RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK

For a PhD thesis, a standard benchmark is 150 to 300+ references. This means the researcher must interact with thoughts and depths of others from where they could draw some meaning about the new work.

God does not work most miracles in isolation, there are always some interactions. If rain comes as a miracle, evaporation must have preceded in preparation. There’s always a relationship, which many never pay attention to.

If you’re weak at building right relationships at work, you’d build nothing meaningful. If you avoid those who hold the keys to the doors, just because they don’t speak your language, attend your fellowship or share your views, you’d stop yourself from building anything impactful.

Nehemiah’s journey teaches wisdom…He built relationships with influential people. I mean those with the keys.

Nehemiah 2:7–9

“I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. 9 So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.”

Nehemiah requested letters for the governors and for Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest. He understood that rebuilding Jerusalem required cooperation from multiple stakeholders.

Today, some share testimonies but refuse to openly admit letters exchanged hands. But the truth is that God does miracles through letters. His miracles build up - a reference here and a reference there, that’s the way God builds the thesis of miracles. Great leaders understand the importance of relationships and partnerships.

How are you doing at work lately? Building right relationships or fighting and/or discrediting everybody holding the keys to your purpose.

Let me close by making this remark that Nehemiah served under a Pagan king Artaxerxes I, yet God did not sack the king but used him. Most of the governors in the Persian Empire would likely have been Persian officials serving the king rather than covenant worshippers of Yahweh. Yet Nehemiah needed their cooperation. And God used their authority to advance His purpose in the life of Nehemiah. Their cooperation fulfilled God’s plan for Jerusalem’s restoration.

God is building an inclusive system. Whatever farm, firm or field God has planted you; understand what God is doing and build bridges to the glory of God.

Receive grace to rebuild your walls.

Your Brother,

David Kay-Akeremale.