Lasting Change: Ultimately, it all Boils Down to THIS (Part 4)
As soon as the words come out of my mouth, I had a feeling 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 him about another learning opportunity. He was telling to just start.
If you’ve ever tried to pump to the next whole dollar at the gas station, you know it often ends up spilling because that tank only has so much space. Once it’s full, it’s go time. Continuing to pump when there’s no more room, is a damaging waste.
When he said those words, I was reminded of how easy it is for me to end up with a collection of strategies, words, ideas, visions, and intentions for change but never gain traction.
Nothing changes without action.
When God called Nehemiah to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, he took some time to inspect what needed to be done, and then he informed those who would be doing the work what needed to be done.
Their reply? Let’s start.
They had been inspired and they had intentions. But still nothing happened until these three words: “so they began.”
11 I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days 12 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.
13 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. 14 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; 15 so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. 16 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.
17 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.” 18 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 heart (4:5). Each of the builders (4:16-18) carried a sword as they did the work so they were ready for opposition. They wrestled with fear (6:9). They thought they were took wear to finish the work. They prayed so more. They asked God to strengthen their hands (6:10).
The result?
15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 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).
The past few weeks we’ve been talking about the words God has given us for this year that carries inspiration and also instruction. We are called to continually believe that God is Sovereign and will accomplish what he desires to with His Word. We are invited to pray continually for God to bring the change in our lives. And then? It’s time for us to live it.
It’s time for us to do the work.
We are loved by a Sovereign God who has a mysterious way of accomplishing his will in our lives while asking for our willingness and cooperation to do the work.
Here is what I want you to take away:
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, look over your life and ask the Lord for instructions. Inspect your life. What will it take to put into practice what God has told you to do?
3) Nehemiah started and eventually finished the work God gave him to do.
This is where we find ourselves today. It’s the time of year we realize our faith needs faith. Our intentions need some traction. It’s time to take action. Start doing the work. Expect opposition. Have your sword ready (Ephesians 6:14).