Sea Monsters and Sturgeon…

 

 

I’ll admit, it does look kind of freaky. It wouldn’t be the first time that things simply weren't what they seemed.

Lord knows I get that idea. We set goals in our lives things we are working on, like bringing our family together, and then when a big step forward comes along we like to look at it and think, “Glad that is done, should be smooth sailing now.” Boy are we wrong.

The work is never done, not till we rest in heaven anyway. It’s like with Sammy, we see him learn to walk, then he is running down the halls and all I can think is man he is so grown up; and in this moment he is. Ask me in a few more months though, it will look very different.

Nehemiah gave us a good example of the importance of stepping back and taking an survey of what you are looking at.

4 The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt.

5 Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it:

Nehemiah 7:4-5 (ESV)

 

Nehemiah finished the wall, but he did not simply kick back and say, “I’m done!” Rather he recognized the importance of stepping back and evaluating the situation. A Builder never has only one project, there are always tasks to tackle, we must have the ability to take an honest appraisal of the situation.

Secondly, Nehemiah recognized the importance of recognizing and celebrating with those involved in the work God had been doing. Verse 5 begins a long list of genealogies where Nehemiah recognizes the community. I have said it before, when we begin rebuilding our lives around Christ, we must do so in community. When we finish one stage, we must take time to celebrate with those who have helped, encouraged, and blessed. We must recognize them.

70 Now some of the heads of fathers' houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 basins, 30 priests' garments and 500 minas of silver. 71 And some of the heads of fathers' houses gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. 72 And what the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests' garments.

73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel, lived in their towns.

And when the seventh month had come, the people of Israel were in their towns.

Nehemiah 7:70-73 (ESV)

 

Lastly, Nehemiah recognized the contribution made by others. He acknowledge in an honest manner what he brought to the table, and how much of the work had been done by others. We don’t simply acknowledge that there is more yet to do, and thank those who have helped, we must also honestly look at how they helped so that we know how to wisely plan the next rebuilding project.

This reminds us of the importance of community, reveals the grand picture of God's hand at work, and gives us a good idea of what we have left to do.

Many people play a part in bringing a family together, many people need to be thanked, and because much still needs to be done to fill out that blessing, many are still needed for support.

There is beauty in a finished work, but there will be equal beauty in another project started. Never forget to enjoy a beautiful ending before starting the new work.