A Lesson From Nehemiah…

Nehemiah 1:1-4

The words of Nehemiah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,  One of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

When Nehemiah heard the news about the walls of Jerusalem, he wept.   He had a burden and a passion for the city of God that overwhelmed him.  Nehemiah found his B.I.G Dream.  His calling became clear when he heard of the needs of Jerusalem.   This rebuilding project that Nehemiah eventually started was more than a job, it was a calling for him.  There may be times in your life that God CALLS YOU from what you are currently doing to do something new for Him.

Many people ask, “How do I know what God is calling me to do?” Well, I ask, “What do you have a passion for? What keeps you up at night thinking? What drives you to tears because you see a need? What consumes your thoughts about making a difference?”

When Nehemiah got the news of the walls of Jerusalem being in ruins he fasted and prayed about what to do.   How much are we willing to pursue our dreams and our purpose? Are we living with a burden and passion to see God’s purposes within us and in those around us? Are we seeking God for the “orders” to run with for our life?

When Nehemiah heard the news about Jerusalem he could have let it pass by his ears.  He could have simply thought, “That’s too bad for Jerusalem, someone should do something about that.  Oh well, I am a busy man, I need to get back to work” But rather than letting the opportunity pass by he seized the opportunity to make a difference.  No one wakes up in the morning and says, “I hope my life doesn’t matter today.”  No, we ALL have a desire to do something of significance.  We want our lives to matter.  The question is not, do we want to make a difference? The question we have to ask ourselves is, “Am I willing to pursue my purpose to make a difference?” You and I have to be willing to step out and go for it when God puts a mission in our heart.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

~James Baldwin~

Maybe God is calling you to go build a new “wall” in your life.  Maybe you feel that your dreams have been crushed like the walls of Jerusalem were crushed.  It’s time to go rebuild the dreams in your life, just like Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem.  It’s NEVER too late to start.

“Though you can’t go back and make a brand new start my friend, you can start now and make a brand new end”

Find your passion and your God given dreams and go for it.  Pursue the burden and calling God has put in your life.  Cry out to God like Nehemiah and make a difference.  We have one life to live, make it the best!!!