Lessons Learned on the Journey

My life as an emergency physician required action. That action was critical to success in crisis situations. When training emergency medicine residents I instructed them that there were necessary steps that preceded action.

1.	Stop and think (assess the problem)
2.	Make sure the personnel and equipment necessary for the crisis were available
3.	Move quickly to action

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training (CPR) teaches similar principles:

1.	Stop and assess
2.	Call for help
3.	Then begin CPR

In my spiritual life, I would do well to follow a similar plan. Nehemiah, while exiled in Babylon, was informed of the crisis in the crumbling city of Jerusalem. In his despair, he acted using similar principles. Nehemiah

	Stopped and went to God
	Inquired of God which then led to a plan
	Was ready for action when the king of Babylon allowed him safe passage to Jerusalem and gave him many of the supplies needed to rebuild the city. (Neh. 1:1-2:10)

Better results are possible when I don’t rush too quickly into action. Join me this week in enacting Nehemiah’s plan to stop and listen to God, prayerfully plan and only then go into action.