We’re in week three trekking along with Nehemiah. In chapter 4 we found out that Jerusalem’s enemies were increasing their threat of the Jews working feverishly to rebuild the wall. They set up camps outside of Jerusalem’s perimeter, and let their threats be known. In response, Nehemiah had to split the workforce to allow for watchmen. In addition, all the workers carried weapons just in case their enemies attacked. The work was hard and the threat was real, which led to frustration within the ranks. Weariness and hopelessness was creeping in – an enemy of a different sort.
Some people reading this story might be troubled by this development. If God was with them, why was there resistance? Shouldn’t God’s people be covered by some insurance umbrella guaranteeing that everything would go smoothly? And was this project really worth it? Before they started rebuilding, living with a crumbled wall meant vulnerability, but their enemies weren’t trying to kill them. Now their life is literally on the line.
Like Nehemiah, we are called to build something. We are called to usher in the Kingdom of God – taking the presence and ways of God wherever we go. Into relationships, the marketplace, society, the world. The Kingdom of God brings with it healing and restoration. Whenever we bring more health into any system, however, there will be resistance. The fact that it’s good news doesn’t mean that the news will be welcomed with open arms.
Nehemiah faced enemies outside Jerusalem’s crumbled walls. We face enemies, too, but much of the time they are camped within us. We face the enemy of apathy, causing us to wonder if bringing in the good news is worth the effort. We face the enemy of rationalization, which attempts to justify inaction when action is required. And we face the enemy of personal comfort, which demands that we stop what we’re doing in order to maintain our cozy status quo.
When Nehemiah saw the discouragement, he called for he people to remember what they were doing this for: their loved ones and their God. Should the enemy attack, they would be fighting for the very lives of those they loved.
It’s not much different for us, really. When we are called to do the work of God, it is for something bigger than ourselves. Building the Kingdom of God where we are means a healthier existence for all around us, even if it takes tremendous effort. The people you love benefit. The people you barely know benefit. God is honored.
So, if you pray the prayer, God, what do you want me to do, and you get an idea what that might be, expect anxiety to set in. Recall that this is normal and not an indication of being out of step with God, and keep moving forward.
Right now, CrossWalk is in the middle of a Capital Campaign, where we are asking our people to dig deep to give our facility a facelift, to honor God, honor the legacy of the people who worked hard to provide this space for us, and to hopefully cast a good impression to our community that reflects our love of God and our desire to be a pleasing part of our community. I hope you are willing to ask the question of God, and be willing to follow in the footsteps of Nehemiah’s contemporaries. Like those who have gone before us, our faithfulness will bless countless people in the years to come.
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