Remember The Why In The Midst Of The What

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 3:8

“Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.”

OBSERVATION:

It is interesting how it says that “They restored Jerusalem”.  Obviously, they played a role - they had a section that was their task.  They had a job, but Nehemiah gives a reminder of what they were really doing.  They were really restoring Jerusalem - God’s Holy City.  If you were to walk around the construction site and asked them what they were doing, some would say, “I’m framing.” while others would say “I’m the mortar guy” and others would say “I’m just running around getting these guys tools and water.”  Nehemiah, their leader, saw beyond their individual tasks.  He saw that they were a beautiful symphony of laborers that unified their individual tasks toward a specific purpose - the result was a song called “Restoring Jerusalem.”

The other thing that jumps out at me is that the entire chapter says “Next to him”, “Next to them,” or defines a person or group of people nearly 26 times.  It says their were civil leaders who rolled up their sleeves and got to work, and next to them were local business owners like perfume-makers and goldsmiths, next to religious leaders, next to ordinary community folk.  They all laid down their agendas and their personal expertise and unified  around a common purpose.

APPLICATION:

I imagine the church this way.  This guy next to that guy, next to that family, next to that gal, next to that group, all working toward the common purpose of making disciples.  Maybe if we were to ask what each was doing they might answer, mixing the sound, or setting up tables, or leading a small group, or caring for kids, but I will work hard at building a sense of the big picture in our volunteers.  My hope is to be a reminder that while we may be focused on a specific section, we are building God’s church - we are leading people to Jesus and making disciples.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of building your church.  Help us to remember the “Why” in the midst of the “What”.  That while we are doing our section of the puzzle, we would keep the big picture in mind.  Help us to walk side by side with one another in unity and accomplish the great commission “make disciples” by obeying the great commandments “Love the Lord our God” and “Love our neighbors.” In Jesus' name - AMEN!