My Favorite Hero

The example of Nehemiah shows us what it takes to make a difference for

God.

Nehemiah 6:15-16

Inside of every one of us is a desire to make a difference, not just to tread water. We want

to feel that the world has become just a little more like God wants it to be because we

have been alive. That’s why I’m such a big fan of Nehemiah. He was a great Difference

Maker. And looking at his life, we can explore five principles of Difference Makers in this

world.

Nehemiah 1:4—Difference Makers experience a holy discontent.

The first characteristic of someone whom God uses to make a difference in this world is

pain. Difference making often begins with a sense of holy discontent. There is a very

personal, very deep response to some area of brokenness in the world.

➢ Describe a time when you felt real pain over an area of brokenness within your

sphere of life. Why did it affect you so deeply? How did you respond?

Nehemiah 1:5–11—Difference Makers respond with urgent prayer.

Nehemiah is a Type-A personality. He’s a racehorse. But when he gets the news about

Jerusalem’s condition, he stops everything. For four months, he pours out his heart to God

every day. For four months, his fire is burning, but he doesn’t do anything—except pray.

Nehemiah 2:17–18—Difference Makers take action.

Sometimes I’m tempted to give myself credit because I have a good heart and empathetic

feelings about something. “I’m against hunger. I’m against poverty. I’m against spiritual

aloneness.” But Difference Makers actually do something.

➢ What actions can you take to improve a broken situation in your sphere of

influence?

Nehemiah 6:1–14—Difference Makers demonstrate persistence.

Maybe there’s something you’re seeking to change through God’s power—maybe it’s a

habit, maybe it’s something in the world around you, maybe it’s your marriage or your

family—and you’ve hit a wall and you’ve hit opposition. Of course you have! It’s a fallen,

broken world. It’s a spiritual battle. We can’t overcome all these problems on our own. Our

job is to persist: “All right, God. I’ll be faithful. I won’t give up.”

Nehemiah 8:10—Difference Makers bring joy.

There is a time for weeping, but Nehemiah says that the bottom line of his story is not our

brokenness. It’s the good news that God is our God, and that he loves us. Even though

we’ve fallen so far short, he’s a gracious God. So do things to bring joy. Go and eat—not

just food, but choice food. Go and drink—not Diet Cokes, but something like Coke Classic.

Something that will bring you joy. And give some to people who have nothing, because

this is about God’s community.

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What activities bring you the most joy? What would it be like to enjoy them as a gift

from God? As an act of worship?

—John Ortberg, adapted from “My Favorite Heroes,” PreachingToday.com. Copyright © 2007

Christianity Today International.