Without THIS, Change Won’t Happen
by: Stephanie Morales-Beaulieu
As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I knew what he was going to say to me.
“You don’t need more gas in the tank. It’s full. It’s time to drive.”
I was telling my coach about another learning opportunity and he was telling me it was time to take action.
When it comes to following Jesus, sometimes it’s easier to end up with a collection of strategies, ideas, visions, and intentions when what we need is obedient action.
When God called Nehemiah to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, he took some time to inspect what needed to be done, and then informed those who would be doing the work what needed to be done.
But still nothing happened until they actually began.
I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days, I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.
By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and re-entered through the Valley Gate. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.
They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. (Nehemiah 2:11-18)
Nehemiah 3 reports all those who went to work, rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem side by side. They each took a part and simply did the work. They faced ridicule (4:1-2). They prayed (4:4-5). They continued to work with all their hearts (4:5). Each of the builders carried a sword as they did the work so they were ready for opposition (4:16-18). They wrestled with fear (6:9). They thought they were never going to finish the work. They prayed some more. They asked God to strengthen their hands (6:10).
The result? They finished.
So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. (Nehemiah 6:16-18)
Follow Nehemiah’s example.
1) Nehemiah received instruction from the Lord.
So have you. What has God called you to this year? What instructions are tucked into the inspiration?
2) Nehemiah inspected what needed to be done.
We are wise to do the same. As you believe and pray, inspect your life and ask the Lord for instructions. Put into practice what God has told you to do.
3) Nehemiah started the work God gave him (and eventually finished).
Our intentions need some traction. It’s time to take action. Start doing the work. Expect opposition. Have your sword ready (Ephesians 6:14).
See what God will do in and through you as you obey and take action in what He’s called you to.
Stephanie Morales-Beaulieu helps women who are longing to be changed experience the transforming power of God’s Word. She is a wife, a mama to four littles, lover of coffee and creativity, and author of Bite-Size Bible Study® – the most recent, The Flourishing Life, a study on the Parable of the Sower.
@everydaytruthca
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