"SKILL SET OR WILL SET"

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:6-11 

Have you ever worked with someone who is highly skilled but their attitude leaves much to be desired? Which area do you make priority; your skill set or your will set?

 Nehemiah had been part of the captivity of Babylon. When he and others returned to Jerusalem they undertook a project to rebuild the wall around the city. The wall was 16 feet wide and almost 5 miles circumference with 12 huge gates that allowed entrance for specific purposes. The interesting fact about the project is that most of the people who did the work were not skilled contractors. They were farmers and had other jobs but history records them building the wall in 52 days. The key verse that explains their success is verse 6; "the people had a mind to work."

"Mind" in this verse refers to attitude or will. When it comes to being successful, Nehemiah demonstrates that will is as important as skill. Philippians 2:5 reads "your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Skill is a reflection of our hands. Will is a reflection of our heart. Ralph Marston said "excellence is not a skill, it's an attitude." If we want to be better at what we do, we should concentrate on attitude as much as we concentrate on aptitude. The people built the wall with the right will set and it seems to have aided in their skill set. Excellence with our hands is consequential of excellence in our heart.