This morning, my devotional led me to read Nehemiah 3. Have you read Nehemiah 3? Nehemiah is the story of a man who felt called by God to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. He goes through some heart-racing moments as he approaches the king for permission and gathers men to help him accomplish this big, God-sized task.
Then, in Nehemiah 3, the work begins.
Here is a short piece from that chapter (v. 3-5):
"The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs…"
And so on the chapter goes. Name after name after name. Each one is assigned a small part of the wall and each one does his part to build that section.
Quite honestly, their names get lost in a long list of details. No books of the Bible are named after them. No one tells their story in Sunday School. They aren't remembered as big warriors of faith or preachers of the Gospel.
They simply built a wall.
It probably wasn't particularly glamorous work. Day after day after day, showing up and building a wall for a city that lies in ruins. All they are personally accomplishing is a tiny portion of a very, very big project.
Did the men grow bored? Did they long for something more pleasurable or exciting? Did they want to do something that would make their names famous? Did they wish they could make a bigger impact on the ruined city than just a tiny piece of a wall?
I don't think so. Look at Nehemiah 4:6. It tells us that the people "worked with all their heart."
They knew God had called them to this task at this time and they believed in the vision. They saw their work as important. They faced attack and ridicule and just the daily difficulties of hard labor, but they were committed to their calling no matter the obstacles.
What a beautiful thing to read the morning I leave for Oklahoma.
It is predicted to take two years to rebuild Moore, OK. I will be there for 8 days.
Approximately 13,000 homes were damaged. I am just one person with almost zero construction experience.
The work I am assigned when I arrive tomorrow may seem very small in the face of the destruction that will surround me.
"Kaleigh, help clean up this yard."
"Kaleigh, help hammer these nails."
"Kaleigh, your job is to build a portion of this wall."
Whatever my job is, it may look small or insignificant. It may not appear to put even the tiniest dent in the damage that has been done.
But, by the power of the Holy Spirit, I will work at it with all my heart.
My little assignment won't be very big in and of itself. But I'll take my spot at the wall next to every other person working on their little assignment. I take my spot next to those of you who are doing your part– donating to the Red Cross, sending donations to victims with me and Kirstin, or praying for those who have been affected.
Bit by bit, as we each do the task set before us, we will rebuild the wall. We will rebuild an entire community ravished by a tornado to the glory of God.
Friends, you and I are a part of something much bigger than ourselves. Together, as the body of Christ, as we each take our spots on the wall, we can rebuild Moore, Oklahoma and do much, much more. We can expand the very kingdom of God! We can impact eternity!
Whatever task you've been called to, do not be discouraged in the daily grind. Do not feel as if you are unimportant or not making an impact. Remember the men in Nehemiah 3 and work at it with all your heart. Those men built the city where years later, Jesus, the very Son of God, arrived and changed all of history, all of eternity. They never could have known what would happen in the very space they were building.
Neither can you. You have no idea what God will accomplish with the work you do, but you can know that if He has called you to it, He has a very important purpose for that work– for your sanctification, for His glory, and for others' lives and souls.
Come. Grab your hammer and nails. We have a wall to build and a kingdom to expand.
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Adventures in Missions
PO Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
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