Rebuilding

Read: Nehemiah 3

Nehemiah 3 reads like a “Who’s Who” list of those that participated in the rebuilding of the walls. While not the most exciting of reading, it is still a very telling chapter when you meditate on why this was included in the Bible. These were just the ordinary people who lived in the city and were called to build and help in whatever way they could. They were not all builders, but rather, they were committed to putting their hands to the plow, with a whenever, wherever, and however attitude. 

Nehemiah shows us that we can all be called to something great. He did not make excuses as to why he could not and should not be the one to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. He was not a builder, he was not a priest, he was a cupbearer to the king. He was the secret service of the time, tasting the king's food and drink to be sure it was not poisoned. His feelings of inadequacy disappeared as he was called by God to a significant task in that moment. He did not wait until some distant day to cast his vision, fast and pray to God, and follow what God commanded; he started where he was.

Following the devastation that 2020 has left behind, we are all being called to something. There will be plenty of rebuilding to do after this year has shaken all of us in some way. We will need to rebuild the Church, relationships with God, family, and neighbors, and the community. As God’s people, we are called to be the salt and light of the Earth. Like salt, we can’t lose our flavor after the difficult year that we just endured. We need to maintain our flavor as God’s children, lean into God’s word, pray and fast.
 
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew‬ ‭5:14-16‬)

Prayer: God, I humbly come before you today with a grateful and thankful heart. I want more of You in my life, and ask that you set a fire in my soul for more of You. I want to be all in with You and with the mission of bringing Your will to Earth. Help me to serve you daily and with excellence. Help me to have a whenever, wherever and however attitude to serving you, as You deserve my all and my everything. Praise Your mighty name. Amen.