But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.
Nehemiah 2:17-18 NLT
In my personal Bible study I’ve recently started Nehemiah, and always love when I find my way back to this wonderful historical book. And what a great time to read this book while our Ministry is taking the One Month To Live challenge as a group. And while Nehemiah was a great man and a hero of the Old Testament, he was also a man of great passion.
Nehemiah had a passion, rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem that had been damaged during the Babylonian Empire take over years before. Through prayer God revealed to Nehemiah a goal, and he pursued that goal passionately. With king Artaxerxes blessings and checkbook, he began to rebuild the wall at a frantic pace. Obstacles after obstacle presented themselves in the effort to stop the rebuilding effort but Nehemiah would not be shaken. When enemies threaten to attack the workers during construction he issued orders to carry a sword in one hand and tools to work in the other. During shortages of food he shared his personal food stores given to him by the king with those who did the work. In the end the wall was rebuilt in 52 days. And while we don’t know for sure the amount of damage that was repaired we know it was extensive and 52 days for repair was quite a feat.
Nehemiah had a passion, rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem that had been damaged during the Babylonian Empire take over years before. Through prayer God revealed to Nehemiah a goal, and he pursued that goal passionately. With king Artaxerxes blessings and checkbook, he began to rebuild the wall at a frantic pace. Obstacles after obstacle presented themselves in the effort to stop the rebuilding effort but Nehemiah would not be shaken. When enemies threaten to attack the workers during construction he issued orders to carry a sword in one hand and tools to work in the other. During shortages of food he shared his personal food stores given to him by the king with those who did the work. In the end the wall was rebuilt in 52 days. And while we don’t know for sure the amount of damage that was repaired we know it was extensive and 52 days for repair was quite a feat.
Nehemiah was driven by passion to reach his goal. I know I need to be more like Nehemiah in my daily life.
Too often in life we let other people or circumstances determine what’s important. Our schedules and lives are re-arranged to make things work “better”, but better for who? I’m sure it would have been a great deal “better” for the enemies of Jerusalem if those working on the wall would have quit when threatened. But Nehemiah decided it would be “better” for the rebuilding of the wall, his passion, if the workers carried swords. Nehemiah wouldn’t let anyone or anything stand in the way of his passion.
So how often do we let the passions in our life become insignificant or put to the side because something else comes up? How come the things we are passionate about in life are those we feel can take away from the easiest? Why do we take the passion out of…passion?
In the One Month To Live challenge the purpose is to identify what keeps us from having a life with no regrets. A life filled with love and learning that allows us to boldly proclaim Christ and His place in our life. And to live passionately in those pursuits.
The question we ask ourselves in the 30 day challenge?
If you only had month to live what would you do? This question determines what’s important. If you had one month to live what wouldn’t you do in the next 30 days? That question will tell what’s keeping you from doing the things in the 1st question.
If you only had month to live what would you do? This question determines what’s important. If you had one month to live what wouldn’t you do in the next 30 days? That question will tell what’s keeping you from doing the things in the 1st question.
So what are you going to do today that you are passionate about?
Grace and peace,
Jeff
