Zeitgeist is a German term which as defined by Webster's Dictionary means, "The general spirit of an era". I am not so arrogant to think of myself as an era. Yet in some way we pull the spirit of a culture, the spirit of a people from the art they leave behind. This may include architecture, paintings, music, literature, and more.
I claim no great talent or brilliant insight, but it is my hope and earnest desire that through this site I may communicate the spirit of a family and a culture, the spirit of warmth and love, the spirit of adventure and peace, the spirit of those who have touched my life and, not least, the spirit of Z.
I am a minister, a husband, a son, a lover, a friend, a student, a teacher, a leader, a follower, a worshipper, an artist, and a human.
Ever feel so tired and worn that things seem a tad faded and you wonder if you will ever catch up? Have your days off ever felt more exhausting than restful? Yeah, that’s where I’m at. It’s like I’m so stressed out most of the time that I have forgotten how not to stress out.
Stress, however, can be dealt with. It is the giving up that slowly creeps in and dampens your dreams, and with them your heart. Sometimes it is hard to even tell it has happened until you start thinking about that thing and you just feel, bleh about it.
That feeling, that process of giving up on dreams is not of God. No matter how many times people tell you, “Well maybe that wasn’t in God’s plan for you.” A “wait” is not a “no”. It can be difficult to hold on to though.
Now I wont say that winning the lottery was God’s hand in this man’s life (nor the lightning). But I can say the waiting was probably no easier than waiting for anything else and then he got more than he bargained for.
With God we often get more than we bargained for, sometimes I think that is why He has us wait so long.
15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. 17 Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah's letters came to them. 18 For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah: and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as his wife. 19 Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid.
Nehemiah probably felt like he got more than he had bargained for. He asked God to help him restore Israel, and God did, with the blessings of the King. When he got to Israel he asked the people to help him rebuild and they did but he also got a slew of powerful enemies. Nehemiah waited for the wall to be finished, defended the people, and kept watch, all the while hearing about how good his enemies were (from his own people).
God always repays more than we give up though. Nehemiah finally got the wall rebuilt and on top of that he saw his enemies lose confidence because they knew the work was God’s.
Actually, this is one promise every Builder shares. We struggle and we wait for the rebuilding of our lives around Christ and God promises we will see works completed. For which He will get the glory, and when he gets that glory those who have tried intimidating you, discouraging you, and opposing you will suffer a blow to their own esteem. They simply will not be able to deny the work of God in your life.
The work God does in your life is awesome but this undeniable testimony is truly the best part of a Builder’s job.
God promises the waiting will be worth it, regardless how many people try to stand against you, so long as we keep the course. Just imagine, your testimony will be an undeniable work of God. That’s pretty awesome.
Come to think of it I suppose it could be likened to waiting through pregnancy and rewarded with…
Ever notice how there are some things you deal with on a daily basis, and most of the time with good humor, that eventually wear on you till all humor for it is gone and all that remains is tolerance? Not necessarily anger, just tired tolerance of something you simply feel ‘done’ with.
I think all of us have been there before. I certainly know I have. The real problem is when it comes in to attempt to destroy your progress in something.
A lot of things come to test our resolve. Our resolve to keep building, keep going, and keep our integrity. One of our biggest temptations when we feel ‘done’ with something is to blow up way beyond what we normally would do. The explosion hurts our relationships and eventually makes us abashed at our behavior. Think that is by chance?
Nope it is a carefully aimed attack.
If the enemy can not simply take you out, he will attempt to discredit you and bring shame on God’s work.
10 Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” 11 But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.” 12 And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. 14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.
If you ever think it better to trust your “friends” than in the often illogical commands of God during your rebuilding, think again. Many times voices from the inside are the ones pressing the hardest to discredit the work of God in our lives.
We’ve all heard those voices take many different forms of “advice” that sound attractive, but you know deep down it is bad advice.
If the enemy can scare, intimidate, or entice you to fall he can discredit the work you are doing. Builders can not afford to lose focus of God, because if they give way to human fear the rebuilding of their lives around Christ can be tainted, easily taunted for its failures, and slow in recovering.
Sure it will probably happen from time to time, Nehemiah is a good example of how we should respond, not an indication that we can respond that way every time. Nehemiah stands as a strong reminder that when voices from your “inner circle” start giving advice that sounds wrong in your spirit, often they are the enemies hired hands. Stand strong and courageous and remind them, and the enemy, of God’s promises. In God’s promise there is no room for fear.
In the process of bringing our family together we have faced times when voices from the inside have tried to discourage and derail. Opportunities have come to lash out and act out. Some how God was awesome enough to protect us from our own stupid and help us have patience. Eventually we saw it was tempting to lash out in this manner because of our own fears. After a while we learned to look fear in the face and wait for God to get His glory again.
I am sure a song will not be long in coming. We already have Supermassive Black-hole, now we are moving on to solar tornados. I guess none of us would be in Kansas if something like that came close. Seriously though, I am sure that is the level of scary and intimidating that residents of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee felt over this last round of tornados.
The amazing thing is how communities pull together to overcome what seems an overwhelming blow.
Many times in our lives things seem intimidating enough to overwhelm us, especially when you are already rebuilding. Jenny and I have been looking at cars. As I look our money dwindles with the days in the month and the prices seem to get even higher. The task of finding the right vehicle (I want a Rondo or Equinox), with low enough miles, and the right price… yeah overwhelming.
Intimidating things often aim at weakening our resolve, I have sure been ready to give up on getting a new vehicle once or twice. Nehemiah knew this temptation well.
6:1 Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” 9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
The Israelites made fantastic work on the wall and the more progress they make the more feverish the opposition. They attempted to lure him out and then even attempted to lie about him to the king. This was some very serious opposition.
The idea was scare them enough and they will be overwhelmed. Note what Nehemiah did.
He prayed. Not just a simple God help, but specifically to the challenge. They wanted to make the Builder’s hands weak, Nehemiah prayed for God to strengthen his hands.
Often it is a very specific attack that comes up against us and often in a rather direct way. Why not pray in an equally direct way?
If the enemy attacks you with fear and intimidation aimed at your relationships, you pray for your relationships to be God centered and strong. If the enemy attacks you with worry pray for peace. You get the idea.
It isn’t a big surprise, or massive revelation, but it is important. A Builder must maintain constant and specific communication with the Master Builder. You must constantly reference the blue prints.
My rebuilding process sure hasn’t been easy. Lord knows that the task ahead of us seems beyond our capability. Of course that is how God gets glory from it. It seems like every time we get forward a step we are reminded of where we aren’t, or how far we want to be.
I just try and remember to pray specifically for contentment and focus on the task at hand and then back it up by looking at the blessings of where we are.
Dried bug juice anyone? And they charge you $10 a cup for that! I must admit I am not too terribly concerned as I don’t drink Starbucks coffee in any form, but I would say there were a few who were surprised. Not many order coffee and expect bugs. Of course I would be surprised if anyone always got what they expected.
In fact coffee, meals, parking spaces, or anything else and we seem to have this sense of entitlement. We disserve to get this or be treated that way. After a while this attitude of entitlement gets out of control, no longer do we expect simple courtesy, now we expect to be pandered to.
This is a dangerous attitude in any area of life, and an unattractive one, but it is specifically dangerous for a Builder. Nothing will stall your rebuilding process like feeling that you deserve to be catered to because of what has happened or that you are entitled to certain allowances.
Some have had significantly bad things happen and are trying to rebuild from things no one should have to face. The problem is that our past does not determine our future, only our choices can do that. Your past isn’t responsible for your choices, you are.
Nehemiah found out how destructive this feeling of entitlement can be.
5:1 Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. 2 For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.” 3 There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” 4 And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king's tax on our fields and our vineyards. 5 Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.”
6 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 7 I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them 8 and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say. 9 So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? 10 Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. 11 Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.” 12 Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. 13 I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised.
The chapter finishes by Nehemiah leading by example in not expecting things out of a feeling of entitlement. It is always important that we follow the example of someone modeling the lifestyle of Christ. Any worker must apprentice under a master builder and even master builders need help finding the best way to do their work.
Nehemiah finds the nobles and officials in the land expecting a great amount from the people. Lets look at what has happened. Two different conquering nations have come in, plundered the land, and scattered the people. These few have remained as a remnant. The land is insecure, impoverished, and under someone else's rule. These nobles felt they deserved some of the better things in life, especially in light of the poor situation.
Note, however, what their sense of entitlement did to those around them. It taxed them and required more of them than they had to offer. The same goes for our feelings of entitlement. When we walk around expecting to be accommodated for what has happened to us, we tax the relationships of the people around us and ultimately expect more from them than they have to give.
It becomes a slavery of misplaced expectations. The only thing that can fill the need inside of us is God. When we place expectations on those around us to make up for the hurts we have experienced then we are placing God sized expectations on mud ball sized humans. It will ruin both relationships and destroy the rebuilding process.
Nehemiah did not tell the nobles that he understood their feelings and to just try and lower their expectations a little. Rather he called sin as sin and told them to stop asking their people to accommodate their misplaced expectations. So much so that he prayed that God would shake out and empty those who did not stop.
Note what the nobles said, they would stop and would restore. Equally important to ceasing our sense of entitlement is an active effort to restore relationships around us. This can be really difficult not only because it is humbling but because it directly attacks our stubborn desire to hold on to our feeling that we deserve better. Frankly we deserve hell, anything less is the grace of God shed for us with the blood of Jesus. We ought to remember that and be thankful.
There is a great freedom in shedding our sense of entitlement and seeking God to fill our needs. It shines a very great light on the rest of our work of rebuilding, and it begins with honest and earnest prayer.
Father, please shed light on our hearts. Help us to see our misplaced expectations and attitudes. No one owes us anything and only You can fill our needs. Help us to rely more and more on your grace. Give our hands the strength to meet the task at hand and our minds the wisdom to do it well. Turn our hearts to you God. – Amen.
This would truly be awesome. Can you imagine calling in a Taco Bell order and a few minutes later there is Quadcopter landing in your yard? That is pretty nerd-riffic if you ask me.
So much happens in our modern culture that keeps us at ease. Tacos flown to our door, hundreds of channels at our finger tips, microwaves, and motorized chairs… To much convenience and we are not used to working and keeping alert. (see texting fail)
Yet the Bible tells us consistently to be alert. A skill which is particularly important in a Builder’s life. With all of the obstacles that pop up, both from the outside and from within ourselves, we cannot afford to lose focus.
Nehemiah knew this truth.
16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”
21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. 22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” 23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.
With all the fear and doubt that can crop up in our lives while we try and tackle the task of rebuilding ourselves in the image of Christ sometimes we have to build with one hand and fight with the other.
Nehemiah knew the fears that the Israelites were having so he set guards and gave the laborers weapons. Men carried supplies in one hand and a weapon in the other, or else worked with it belted to their sides. The entire camp was alert and waiting.
Even Nehemiah stayed alert, keeping the trumpet with him he kept watch to call the camp to him incase there was a need. So ready were they that no one took off their clothes to sleep.
We often forget the principle of laboring with one hand and wielding a sword with the other. Spiritual warfare is not an idea when you’re a Builder it is a reality. When you are trying to build your life around Christ the enemy will come after you. This doesn’t mean you can stop the work, just that you have to wield the sword in the other hand.
Our sword is the Word of God, we have to know it to wield it. If you are not digging deep in God’s Word how can you expect the building not to be interrupted by the obstacles that threaten? The enemy is coming, set watch, keep guard, know the way of your weapon, and keep working.
Seem overwhelming?
Remember what Nehemiah told the Israelites, “Our God will fight for us.” And as Paul says, “If our God is for us, then who can be against us?”
You do the work and keep watch for the battle and God will see to the victory and the blue prints. Then you can celebrate with the simple joy of a child experiencing brand new things with every turn.
So space isn’t dangerous enough, now we need to add Russian satellite missiles to the mix? I mean your floating in a place so void of life sustaining atmosphere that if your little bubble gets popped you die so close to instantaneously as to not matter and now we have to add galactic litter bullets? Space sounds fun.
I guess with all great works there are some scary obstacles. The problem is that the most terrifying often come from within.
The worst of those is our own fear.
We defeat ourselves way before most others have the chance. Nehemiah found that out quick.
3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.
6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.
10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” 13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.
Regardless of the heat coming from outside, Nehemiah was about to see his biggest struggle was his own people. The words of his enemies caused doubt and fear among the Israelites rebuilding the wall. Those fears paralyzed the rebuilding, not the threat of attack.
It is like that for most of us, when we set to being used by God to rebuild our lives, or help rebuild another's, most often our own fears and doubts paralyze the process; not the obstacles in our paths.
Nehemiah’s reply to this was masterful. Nehemiah knew that in the crises that paused the rebuilding two things were needed; first the practical need must be filled and second the people must regain focus.
He posted the guard needed to bring security to the people and pointed them back to God. You can almost hear the words found repeatedly in Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” Joshua conquered the land, the same qualities were going to be needed to rebuild it.
The correct focus will always frustrate the plans and purposes of our enemies. Sure fears, doubts, and obstacles will come whenever you try and rebuild anything. We must remember to meet the practical; physical, emotional, or spiritual need behind the fear and doubt and then refocus on Christ. Then we must simply be strong in the Lord and courageous in our purpose. Sometimes we have to fight, any good work requires it, but ultimately if we want to see our lives rebuilt then we must stay the course.
Storms come and go, it is not the storm that will crush us or leave us standing, it is the strength of our attachment to our foundation. Be strong, courageous, and build; one brick at a time.
I was never much good at making paper air planes myself, of course I never knew quite how either. Regardless, I made the attempts, often impatiently. Even if it did a nose dive after two seconds I would fling the thing for 30 minutes until the nose was bent with no hope of being straightened.
The biggest obstacle to a good paper airplane is getting the weight balance correct while maintaining lift from sufficient wing support. I didn’t want to put that much work into something that was supposed to be fun.
I guess a lot of us feel that way.
Life is supposed to be fun right? Well at least enjoyable. I just doesn’t seem right to have to put so much work into it. Seriously, can’t anything just be easy?
Yeah well, it takes a lot of work to build something, and even more to rebuild it once it is down. Building our lives for Christ, even in the simple things, is not an easy task. Rebuilding our lives around Christ is often painfully difficult. There is joy, but it is not easy and not always fun.
One thing you can count on though, you will face opposition. Even in rebuilding a house you will find people who will tell you it is a lost cause, a money pit, or that you will never finish. Opposition always finds a way to pop up around a Builder.
I don’t believe people like the idea of something being rebuilt. I think it makes people uncomfortable when someone brings something back to life. Look at the Phoenix, beauty from ashes; problem is we tend to shy away from the flame. So we in turn warn others not to play with the “fire” or we might just get “burnt”.
Nehemiah dealt with plenty of opposition when he undertook a rebuilding.
1 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” - Nehemiah 4:1-2 NIV
Sanballat was a person of influence and power in the area and he had friends. In fact the next few verses reveal how many friends he had. The minute word got out that Nehemiah had started rebuilding the wall opposition popped up.
Look at the language here, Sanballat was angry and greatly incensed. His culture hated the Jews, wished they no longer existed really. It brought them pleasure to see this great reminder of the God who had brought their nations under submission laying in a heap of rubble. The very idea of it’s restoration enraged him.
Anytime a reminder of God’s sovereignty and His glory is being built around the lost, the reaction will not be so different.
Sanballat’s response was to lash out with ridicule in an attempt to discourage the Builders. How many times have you heard it? “Your not strong enough.” “It is to hard for you.” “Your being naive to think it can happen.” “It is going to take way to long, you’ll give up before then.” “You think it is going to be like it was before?” “There is no hope.”
It all sounds fairly familiar to me. I think that, like most of the attempts, the discouragement also holds a key to the Builders hope. Look at the very last line.
Can the bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble- burned as they are?
Nope; but we serve a Master Builder whose record is well established and whose record is proven. We can’t, but we sure can be used by One who can.
Rebuilding our lives can take a lot of work, a lot of time, and a good bit of patience. We must remember that even though the voices of opposition rise up all around us, we serve The Author and The Finisher. He has never left His good work incomplete. It is his signature to draw beauty from ashes, so you don’t have to shy away from the flame.
Let Him make you a Phoenix and I can promise you will fly longer, higher, and with more grace than that 45 foot paper airplane.
And the awesome part? Eventually we are all promised rest…
As many of you may know, I am (as any good believer should be: see Genesis on serpents), terrified of snakes and have a great dislike for them. The idea of a monster snake… lets just say I’d rather not think much about it.
Of course monsters around us isn't something new really. I mean look at the popular shows: Crocodile Hunters, Swamp People, River Monsters, and the list could go on. We tend to have a fascination with real live monsters and imaginary ones alike.
At times I wonder why, but I think the reason is that we face, in a very real but often intangible sense, monsters every day. Be they monster jobs, obstacles, or decisions; you get used to the “giants” in your life intimidating you.
Jenny and I have been there for some time. I shared last time the process of rebuilding that we are going through. Talk about a monster. Any major life decision, any major life event, offers a certain amount of intimidation and uncertainty at it’s size.
There are lots of responses to a task that looks bigger than you are. That is certainly what Nehemiah found out.
Rebuilding the Wall
3:1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.
3 The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 4 And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired. And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel repaired. And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired. 5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.
6 Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Gate of Yeshanah. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 7 And next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, the seat of the governor of the province Beyond the River. 8 Next to them Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9 Next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired. 10 Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph repaired opposite his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah repaired. 11 Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens. 12 Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters.
13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall, as far as the Dung Gate.
14 Malchijah the son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem, repaired the Dung Gate. He rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
15 And Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it and covered it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And he built the wall of the Pool of Shelah of the king's garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the city of David. 16 After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, repaired to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool, and as far as the house of the mighty men. 17 After him the Levites repaired: Rehum the son of Bani. Next to him Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, repaired for his district. 18 After him their brothers repaired: Bavvai the son of Henadad, ruler of half the district of Keilah. 19 Next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section opposite the ascent to the armory at the buttress. 20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai repaired another section from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. 21 After him Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired another section from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib. 22 After him the priests, the men of the surrounding area, repaired. 23 After them Benjamin and Hasshub repaired opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah repaired beside his own house. 24 After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress 25 and to the corner. Palal the son of Uzai repaired opposite the buttress and the tower projecting from the upper house of the king at the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh 26 and the temple servants living on Ophel repaired to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower. 27 After him the Tekoites repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel.
28 Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house. 29 After them Zadok the son of Immer repaired opposite his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, repaired. 30 After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah repaired opposite his chamber. 31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired as far as the house of the temple servants and of the merchants, opposite the Muster Gate, and to the upper chamber of the corner. 32 And between the upper chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants repaired.
In general we see that a great variety of people came to partake in a task that would bring glory to God, much as we should bring a variety of believers around us to help us build lives of glory to God (read here The Church). There were locals and people from outside the city, artisans and craftsmen, and Priests and rulers. Nehemiah was careful to give credit all around showing God’s glory at work, not his own. We do see, however, people of special note.
We see nobles that would not work. There will always be people around you that will simply not put their shoulders to the task. There were families working together, including the women. When it comes to rebuilding something for God’s glory, it is a whole family ordeal, not an experts, it’s not “a man’s job”, it is for everyone.
There were people who rebuilt right outside of their home. Lord knows that sometimes the rebuilding must happen at home first. The idea here isn't that they were selfish or self seeking, rather they took care of matters at home.
Finally, one man is noted as having worked with zeal. Literally, the idea is that he went above an beyond and burned a lot of energy in doing the work. I seriously pray that God would help bring me to this place.
We can see a few other things to note. The word “build” appears several times in this section in this section (though it is often translated repair here). Build actually held the idea of rebuilding from existing materials. This is not a new wall with outside materials. Remember Nehemiah only requisitioned wood for the gates. The material needed to rebuild the walls was already scattered around in the rubble of what had been. I wish I could truly see the truth of this. All that is needed to rebuild for God’s glory in our life is all there in the “rubble” of what had been. The key is the “mortar” of God’s glory and following His blue prints.
There is also the word repair in the original language. The idea carried by the word is to make strong. These laborers did not simply throw something up, they did it well. They did it for God’s glory.
Finally we see that everyone has their place in the rebuilding process. Each one has their own task, their own area of work, just as those we bring around us each serve their own role and task in the rebuilding process. Do not expect everyone to fill the same or similar roles, sometimes they have a different task.
So, I say again, the monster of rebuilding our lives is accomplished one brick at a time…. but there sure are some things that make it worth it…
How do you rebuild from nearly two years of things falling apart? When every where you look is rejection, you lose your job, your health, your home, and part of your family all in one year; where do you go from there? My answer? I have no idea.
Look, I don’t have anything all figured out. I do know the start. You turn to God. I told a friend of mine not long ago that I was finally feeling hope again and it was because I can tell God is working to put my puzzle back together, I can’t tell what He is doing, but just knowing He is working is great.
The question remains, how do you rebuild a life? I guess much like anything else; one brick at a time. Oh sure, there is more to it, but basically it is hard laborious brick laying. Let’s look a little close though. For me it started to stand out in the second part of Nehemiah 2.
11 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. 13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King's Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 15 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work.
17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”
Nehemiah knew what he was about. There would have been large notice of his arrival and attention paid to his intentions, so he waited three days. When things had calmed down Nehemiah went out at night so that his enemies wouldn’t know what he was up to and he surveyed the job.
I think any time you are looking at rebuilding, patience is key. It is tough work and slow. There are also always opponents to rebuilding; be it money, skeptics, or flat out enemies. Finally it is important to know the job ahead of you.
Nehemiah then spoke to the people. He recognized the shape they were in and called people around him with the larger focus of fixing the real problem, lack of security. He gave them their true source of encouragement and strength and he left his enemies to deal with God instead of worrying over them himself.
It has been vital for me to recognize where Jenny and I were, both the good and the bad. It has also been key to bring people around us who help us stay focused on the bigger picture, not fixing symptoms. I have had to stay focused on God as my strength and leave my discouragements at His feet for Him to confront.
It is tough, the prep work has to be done, but if God is in it, if you have the right Master Builder, then progress can be seen.
We just had our first home pass. While there was a good amount of being sick involved it was still pretty awesome. We saw friends, went out to eat, watched a movie, and mainly just got to hang out. We set up her room and everyone slept in, we even went looking for a new car. It was really a pretty cool time.
We really did not do anything huge or crazy. I guess that was the coolest part; we just got to be a family for a while. Little Bit keeps making this statement, “I can’t believe how blessed I am… How awesome what God is doing in my life is… That He brought me you guys, its like a dream…”
This statement seems hard to register for me. Jenny and I just loved her. It doesn’t seem like so much to us. She is ours and we have made a commitment to be there for her, to us that seems to be pretty standard stand point for any parent to take with their kids. It sure means a lot to her though.
I look forward to going from here with her. I am excited to see what God has planned for her and what awesome things lay ahead. You would expect pivotal moments in life, like these, would come with fan-fare and trumpet. At least a sound track. Rather they seem, more often, to be a culmination of the immense number of ordinary moments. It kind of makes you wonder about whether you are making the right pile to get the right outcome. What is each hour I spent with her this weekend going to build up to be? How about with Jenny, or Sammy?
Let’s just say I am glad I am not God and don’t have to try and see what all is going to happen, rather I can rely on His grace.
I would guess, in retrospect, this is probably how Nehemiah would have felt.
2:1 In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. 2 And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 3 I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4 Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it.” 6 And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. 7 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.
9 Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.
This moment in Israel’s history is pretty pivotal. From here Nehemiah would join the ranks of the elite in Israel’s ancestry. His example would be looked to along with the giants of faith like Abraham, Moses, and David. Yet for Nehemiah this was there terrifying culmination of four months worth of common moments. The month of Nisan would have been about four months after Nehemiah heard the report about Jerusalem.
For four months Nehemiah carried this burden with him, he prayed and fasted, and sought God’s timing. four months is long enough for the routine of life to take over again. I doubt that in Nehemiah’s mind that morning was going to be any different than normal. I doubt that the trumpets blew and the world held its breath when Nehemiah asked the king if he could go, I doubt time slowed as Nehemiah walked from the palace hall back lit and heroic, and I doubt he had a sound track.
No I’d say all in all he was probably having a pretty crappy day. A servant to the king could be banished or killed for making the king unhappy. Looking depressed was not a good career choice for Nehemiah and definitely not something he was doing to get sympathy as some grand plan. Nehemiah was sad, burdened, and probably struggling with inaction.
Only God knew today was to be the day that Nehemiah was released to do what he had been called to do. To be honest, the entire interaction probably lasted so little a time that afterwards Nehemiah had to catch his breath and struggle to process what had just happened.
When Nehemiah sent up his urgent “shot” prayer it was backed by four months of steady building up. Even then it isn’t like Nehemiah turned from this terrifying moment with the king to this glorious task. Look what he asked for; give me letters so no one will kill me and wood so I can build.
Nehemiah is not thinking to be some hero come home to rally his people to some great work. He simply wants to rebuild the wall and restore security and hope to the home of his fathers. It is a good work, but not heroic. Can you imagine a movie about building a wall? Not a very riveting plot line.
Yet even in these things Nehemiah constantly gives all glory to the favor and providence of God, and as a result we see how moved the king was. The he listened at all, that he was sympathetic while his wife was there to offer a more emotionally connected side, that he went beyond what Nehemiah asked; it all shows how awesome God is and how sovereign.
At the end we are given just a hint of the troubles still facing Nehemiah, there are always some. It seems though that these expressed opponents were not even as troubling to the Israelites as making those moments count.
I’m not trying to build a wall, not sure I would even know how to, but I am trying to help build lives. I hope I do as well at giving God all the glory. I hope I do as well being patient to see each moment build up until the fruit finally shows.
So without internet my blogging takes a hit over a few days. I am really hoping to remedy that soon. I did find this article on Pop Science and wanted to share... I hope you enjoy it.
I’ve talked about waiting before. I guess it is still on my heart. Jenny and I got our first approved home pass and it starts Saturday, we can’t wait. We also got news that other things we had looked at might be moving faster, but it isn't definite, so we wait. We also look to the promises God gave us individually that we have been looking to for years. At times they have felt almost tangibly close and at others like only a mist in the wind. Regardless we try to maintain faith that these are indeed the promises of God.
We haven't always been so awesome at maintaining that faith. In Texas Jenny and I sank into a type of despair. I am not sure how completely we have removed that cancer from our lives yet, but I can tell you Jesus was present through it all offering encouragement in lots of places. One for instance happened while I was on my way to work. I had the radio playing in the background not paying a great deal of attention when a line seemed to jump into the air and grab my attention. I heard Toby Mac sing, “You lose your way, you get back up again, its never too late to get back up again, hold on your gonna shine again, you maybe knocked down but not out forever.”
I listened to the rest of the song in tears as I heard the Holy Spirit offering once again His promise. I think sometimes that knowing the promise and living the in between can be more difficult than not knowing the promise. The good thing about the i n between though, is that it is only in between which means there is something else coming.
Nehemiah lived in a very dismal in between. The Israelites had been in Babylon in exile for hundreds of years and those who had actually been able to remain in Jerusalem lived in disgrace, fear, and danger.
1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.
Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the capital, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah was greatly moved by the condition of his people. He knew the promise of God and yet the condition of the children of that promise lived in complete insecurity. Nehemiah’s response is one that I wish I could model more often.
5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”
Nehemiah’s prayer has three main parts. First he is worshipping God for who He is; and recognizing to Himself who God is. It is good to remind ourselves of that from time to time.
Next he repents. In both a corporate and personal way Nehemiah recognizes his failures in a specific way. You can feel the genuine repentance in these words.
Finally Nehemiah recalls the Words and promises of God. If only we knew God’s word well enough to recall the specific promises of God for our situations and speak them into our lives. Oh, that’s right, we have the book… Guess all we have to do is read it.
Nehemiah does not simply speak the promise into his situation, he then prays that God listen and work out His promises in that situation. He lays it at God’s feet and recognizes that it is in His hands. With the wording here the action of faith is a given. He asks that God grant him favor to act. How often do we just ask for things to fall together without the action? To much for my comfort that’s sure.
Then in one small statement at the end of this chapter Nehemiah both comments on his plan and recognizes the size of the favor he is asking God for. Now I was cupbearer to the king.
Read here, I just might die. Cupbearer was a trusted position, but not one where you were expected to be seen and heard before the king. We aren't talking merciful Christian kings, we are talking pagan conquering kings. Nehemiah had a lot at stake.
Often we look forward to a promise God has given us but we refuse to act in faith and instead grumble impatiently. If only I had the faith to pray Nehemiah’s prayer and ask for favor as I act. As it is I have no place to complain about God’s timing.
Jenny and I are sitting in the office trying to finish up some paper work and plan for the day when I hear a metallic sound behind me. I turned to look and Sammy was swinging a massive knife around. (we have to keep the knifes in the office)
I was flat terrified and moved faster than I thought possible. Sammy is completely unhurt, but his mother and I nearly had a heart attack. Someone had returned the Knife to the office and not put it away and we didn’t know until Sammy had it.
There is no spiritual lesson or deep thought to follow, I was simply terrified and wanted to share…
Boy am I tired today. We have training and then appointments and errands… it has been so long since we have had enough days off to make much a difference… my eyes are almost constantly grainy and my ability to cope is shot.
Of course I could do a lot more complaining to. I could tell you about the baby not sleeping and poor communication, ridiculous tasks that don’t seem to affect us much and almost anything else. I guess the question is, Why?
I talked a little bit ago about nurturing each moment. Sometimes I feel like the task is redeeming each moment. It seems like a monumental task to stay positive and full of a beneficial point of view. The idea of actively trying to build each moment on top of that…
I never really thought much about it being one of our basic expectations. That is, however, what Hebrews tells us.
15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
It is right there in verse 1. He says let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise. That him is also translated through Jesus. So through Jesus, recognizing that it can be a sacrifice, we are to constantly be offering praise to God. I like that the Author acknowledges that it can be a sacrifice at times, it is the next part that I don’t care for.
The fruit of lips that acknowledge His name… So. The natural basic result of identifying ourselves with Christ is constant praise. It doesn’t matter that it can be difficult; it remains the natural, simple, basic result of acknowledging His name. Yeah, I so fail here.
This basically obliterates the so called “realists” and pessimists who also claim to be saved. For chapter upon chapter now we have been reminded of the great promise and hope we have in Christ. Now we are told as a result when we identify with Christ we are to be in constant praise. Lets see you praise God by complaining or taking a gloom look on reality.
But not complaining is hard… so is growing fruit, get over it.
The Author does leave us with some practical ways to build this fruit in our lives though. He tells us not to neglect doing good and sharing what we have. Not, try and do good and share. No, that habit is the given norm that can be neglected, not the abnormal that must be built. Yeah, not so good here either. These things are pleasing to God, which in turn will bring us joy and give us even more reason to praise Him.
Then, thankfully for me, the Author just really stomps on my toes. He says submit to your bosses in such a way as to make it a joy for them to lead. So now we are not supposed to complain but we are to not complain to or about our bosses? Not even the political leaders? Darn. Sure this particular verse goes on and talks about spiritual leaders, and Lord knows your pastors need you to follow this (He did put it in here). But scripture else where lets us know that respect and prayer are what ANY leader put over us deserves because God put him/her in that position. Let us be honest, it does no one any favors to complain to God and inform Him in our great wisdom that He made a “stupid” decision.
Finally the author asks that you pray for him that he would stay clear of sin or things that would compromise his integrity. Our leaders are human too, and struggle to follow their own teaching as much as anyone. We never pretend that these teachings don’t hurt and can’t be hard; just that we have to do them. Of course none of it is quite so hard as taking the sin of the world upon your shoulders and being horribly executed to bury it in the grave, not to mention rising from the dead; but we wont go there.
It’s funny that children can over come hurts and fears so quickly and return to the simple joy of life so quickly, and yet we who have had far more chance to see God’s faithful work in our lives flat out refuse. If only we could be more like this…
God please help me not to complain, gripe, or sow discontent and seeds of negativity. Help me not to speak into myself and reality the bad feelings I have but rather acknowledge that true reality is You and Your promises. Father help me to build each moment for You and seek to honor You in all I do.
I see no better way to finish Hebrews than the benediction that the author himself gives.
20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
22 I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you.
Last night one of our girls made a phone call and the relief who were shadowing and I sat in disbelief at the confused view of reality she seemed to hold on to. Her “truths”, to an older person, seemed pure ignorance of reality. Of course I am sure we have all been there before.
Shoot, I am sure we all still engage in this fairy tale reality from time to time. When Jenny and I first got out of school I lived in this warped view of reality where I believed that now getting a job would be easy and that it would make everything easy and things would be awesome and fulfilling from there. Boy was reality different.
I learned contentment, patience, and endurance were the only things that would allow us to be satisfied and still hold on to our dreams. Joy comes from Jesus, not an “easy” situation in life. Not that our jobs would have even turned out easy really.
Sometimes the things we do not currently have or that we dream about can seem clearer to us than what is really around us. It is kind of like the reflection in the mirror being clearer to you than the reality. It doesn’t matter how good it looks, when you walk away from the mirror reality is all you have to work with.
The Hebrew believers had trouble with wishing for what they didn’t have. They felt that it would seem more real to them than what they had, the Author reminds them to remember.
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
The author gives them a clear direction to remember their leaders. These are people who went before them and lived out an example of the life of faith. real people who can be a testimony to the true reality around them. Other’s examples always seem to give us a better view of reality than we can come up with on our own. He then tells them that Jesus is the same for the readers as He was for their leaders.
The the Author attacks the problem. The Hebrews wanted to turn to Jewish ceremony. In the middle of the mundane waiting game the Hebrew believers had begun to want something that felt more “real”. The Author reminds them reality is grace, not ceremony.
The Author then reminds the of the superior nature of Christ’s priesthood over the Jewish priesthood and invites the believers out of the camp of ceremony and separation and into the fellowship of suffering and redemption.
The, knowing the human heart, a concession is made. When we look longingly for something it should not be some “future” achievement or placement, it should not be some work or station, and it should not be to some man-made ceremony or creation. We have a GREAT promise to look forward to. Our eternity in a better reality spent with God.
We all get distracted with our own plans, Lord knows I have. It is difficult to remember that in the moment only grace matters. It is hard to remember that we are not called to a fairy tale of ease, but to shame, suffering, and redemption. Our dreams can be founded in God and a wonderful goal; but the only promise we should focus our daily activity around is the promise of a better city and a better relationship with God.
Last Monday the girls planted some seeds and the pots are sitting outside striving for sun and nutrients as the plants begin life from death. It made me think of being in school as a kid and planting a bean in a wet napkin and placing it in a zip-lock bag so we could watch it grow.
I have always enjoyed planting things. The Bible says we can plant, water, and feed but only God can make it grow. I just like to see something grow from seed to flower or fruit. Plants tend to make me happy in their simple beauty and growth.
It amazes me how often the seed cycle is at work in our lives. Oh sure we’ve all heard that what we sow we reap and while that is true, I just think we over look the simplicity.
Let us take our mornings. If my girls start their day with hard, angry, music it affects the rest of their day. If they wake up complaining then they most often go to bed with consequences. So we can see a fairly sweeping view of cause and effect present in each day, but lets look even closer.
I think the question to ask is, “What is growing?” I believe this is what we miss. We plant a seed and keep it watered and fed, even make sure it gets sun light, and we watch it grow. What is growing in your life? In this year? Your week? Today? This hour?
God gives us each day the opportunity to plant in our lives something beautiful. Each moment presents itself as an opportunity to feed it, water it, and let it bask in the Son. What we grow is obvious once it has sprouted, anyone can see it then. Even the very soil it was planted in begins to shift and change as the plant takes root.
And if we don’t nurture the moments God gives us? I once had a seed that went uncared for or improperly nurtured; the smell of decay was unpleasant to say the least; nor was it a pretty sight.
13:1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
The Author of Hebrews has been pounding on us to take heed of the testimonies in our lives and live by faith, to endure by faith. Yet the Bible always seems to tie theology and practice together. In a life watered by faith and properly nurtured Love will be it’s fruit.
Even the life of love, as it takes root, continues to grow and change it’s soil. We see that first we are told to continue in brotherly love the NIV says love one another as brothers. If we live an active life of faith, then we are to live it in love. You will remember Paul saying what good is it without love?
We love each other like family, as indeed we are. That love flows to taking care of each other and welcoming each other in times of need. The Author also notes that at times, in practicing this love, God has sent His messengers of Hope and Peace to them.
As love continues to grow our hearts (the soil) begins to be changed and we receive (from God) the ability and call to take on each others burdens. This goes beyond simply empathizing with each other, rather it spurs us on to action. Through prayer, provision, and encouragement we offer peace to the suffering.
The Author then tells us how to continue to nurture this love. It starts at home. Marriage is an image of our covenant relationship with God and as we corrupt our lives with idols, so we corrupt our marriages with lust and adultery. Finally, we are to keep love nurtured by moving it from the dark of self-centeredness.
As always the Author gives us another promise to go with our work; there is no need to worry about life because God will never leave us and always take care of us.
As a father I try and remember to let my love grow with my children in every moment I have with them. As a husband I try an make every interaction with my wife a nurturing one (and often fail). As a friend, brother, son, co-worker, house parent, or anything else I want to work hard to see what God has provided grow to something beautiful. Thing is farming is not always easy.
But when you have “plants” like these who wouldn’t give it their best shot?
