Book of Nehemiah: Post 1

First of all, I haven't blogged in a lonnnnnnnnng time...but I feel that this series of blogs can really help people. I started reading Nehemiah this morning and although I have read it before, God definitely took my train of thought in a different direction. I usually look at Old Testament Books and read them looking for their historical significance, with little spiritual lessons every once in a while. As a history major in college, I tend to find myself looking at these books that way far too often. However, this day was different...way different. I read the first two chapters of the Book of Nehemiah and God really started convicting me of some stuff...

1) I need to be broken by brokenness.

Now, I am talking about me being spiritually broken by people whose lives are in pieces. Instead of thinking to myself, well...'they shouldn't have made that decision' or 'that's what you get'...I need to think...'that could easily be me, but for the grace of God.' I am so guilty of this...so hardened to the troubles of high school kids...I let news of a pregnant girl or a guy who gets caught up in drugs and drops out of school not phase me anymore. It is sad that I have become that way and I could make hundreds of excuses, but there is no excuse for being anything but broken by the broken lives at TLH.

Nehemiah was devastated by what was happening to the people he loved...Am I devastated by what happens where God has called me?? What a convicting thought!

"When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven"
-Nehemiah 1:4

2) I must use my position for God's glory.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer for King Artaxerxes...that is a big deal. Nehemiah was a big deal in the Kingdom...but the only reason Nehemiah was in this position was so that God could use him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

So...I began to ask myself why God allows me to teach, do mission work, work at FUSE (when I can), coach, sponsor The CHILL, and it became clear...TO REBUILD THE WALLS OF TLH...what a task we at TLH all share! This is a tough place, peer pressure is everywhere...both for students and teachers...yet God has called me there! This school is getting worse every single year...the kids begin partying younger and younger...hopelessness runs ramped here...the walls need to be rebuilt. I am not ready for what God wants to do in and through me...but I pray that come August I will be (please pray with me). This is not some emotional thing, this is about fact...the fact is...I have major work to do right where I am.

Nehemiah requests many things from the King in Chapter 2 and the King agrees to it because God was calling Nehemiah. We can stand in confidence when we are working for the Kingdom. We can ask for things that will help us and things we would like to have (see Nehemiah 2:8) like timber for a house, when we are doing the will of God. I am not a prosperity Gospel guy AT ALL...but in the case of Nehemiah, God granted him things he needed and wanted.

3) What seems impossible and hopeless is possible with God.

Before Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem there were probably few people who believed rebuilding the city walls was a possibility at all, maybe ever...but when Nehemiah arrived, hope was restored! This hope was restored because God sent someone to do the work...

I hope you see where I am a going with this because God dropped some bombs on me as I was reading...There is hope at TLH, there is hope at whatever school you attend, the family you live in, the village where you serve, the city God has called you to...BECAUSE YOU ARE THERE! What an incredible testimony of God's plan for our lives!! We are where we are on purpose!! With purpose!! FOR A PURPOSE!

Lets rebuild some walls where we live...after all, God put us there for that purpose.

I WILL GO.