What would have happened if you invested $1000 into Microsoft stock back in 1986? After years of stock splits and compounding it would now be worth in the order of $1.6Mil…talk about a super return! How might your life be different if you had made that one savvy investment? What if I told you that you have the opportunity to make a savvy investment right now, better than Microsoft…are you game?

In my mind, Nehemiah is a superstar investor. We can learn from him. We get to know Nehemiah as a cup-bearer for King Artaxerxes. I can imagine his life… This is a good job in those days. Who gets to serve the king? He would be well taken care of, he just had to be careful not to offend his boss. Life was good! A safe investment for the rest of his life he may have reasoned…until the arrival of his brothers and friends. They shared the sad state of Jerusalem; in ruins. Most would have said “that’s too bad” and moved on with life, but not Nehemiah. The situation in Jerusalem struck a deep chord in his soul. Over and over the image of ruins ran through his head… until that image started to change. He began to see potential, an opportunity, a Microsoft in the rough. He asked the powerful question: “What if?”

Then it hit him on the side of his head like a 2X4. “What am I doing here?”

His dilemma? Perhaps as Jim Collins wrote: “Good is the enemy of great.” Stay put or consider taking a shot at a much greater return.  He might have asked, “What is the return I expect to gain by staying invested where I am right now compared to what could be?”  It would take some risk to change course. He took a few months to consider it. Ultimately, he could not contain his struggle and the king noticed. Uh oh! He pleads to God in his mind as he responds to the king. His hand forced; he makes the decision to invest his life fully in God’s Kingdom. We quickly see that he will not be a solo investor. The proof that he investing in tandem with God, the greatest investor ever, is immediate; the king responds with a mind-blowing response.

The remainder of the story is about Nehemiah’s relentless focus on realizing the return on his life’s investment. Enemies try to sway him, even scheming to take his life. He did not waver. I suspect Bill Gates faced a lot of opposition too, though I doubt his life was ever on the line. Nehemiah went all in on his investment: Rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and, along with this, re-establishing the respect of the Jews. Nehemiah cries out to God as the wall is nearly completed:

“Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it.”
Nehemiah 5:19 (NLT)

I’m 100% sure God blessed Nehemiah greatly. An immeasurable return on his investment, dwarfing an investment into Microsoft…and it is still yielding returns today.

What return are you getting on your life’s investment?  

When I ask this question I typically hear, “But what else would I invest in?” How do I spot the opportunity? Do I need to go to Africa and become a missionary? This is likely not a time to run off to a far-away land to find some exotic opportunity. No, typically it is found close to home; really, really close to home. Nehemiah heard about the opportunity from his brother in response to a simple question. I suspect your investment opportunity is right in front of you, and there is a good chance that God has already placed it on your heart. Think of Nehemiah, he already had the question in mind when he connected with his brother. He knew!

Ask God, “Where would you have me invest my life?”

Nehemiah’s first step after hearing the news of Jerusalem’s ruins is incredibly powerful.

 ^“When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 1:4 (NLT) 

He engaged God. Repenting, he moves into a whole new realm to invest in; where the returns are unbelievable. Alone, this investment was too risky. Together with God, watch out! It is so cool to see how this works.

“Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.”
Psalm 37:3-4

 “You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!”
Psalm 137:5-6

 God works his first miracle for Nehemiah right away – King Artaxerxes opens his wallet – “Well, how can I help you?” Crazy! Emboldened, Nehemiah is off to a great start. He walks the entire journey hand in hand with God and he needed him for sure. Without God, he would never have been able to stay the course, his life investment lost. With him, God sized returns with endless compounding.

Nehemiah’s investment was his life’s mission. He pursued it hand in hand with God; his whole life committed to its fulfillment. Likewise, your Life Mission is the investment God asks you to make. Is it time to experience immeasurable returns by pouring your entire life into this savvy investment? The Mission Curve™ Process will guide you to your Life Mission, the greatest investment you could ever make. Let’s talk.

Go to www.bobblackcoaching.com to schedule a free consultation.