Nehemiah: Part of a Great Project

Synopsis     Nehemiah 3:17-31     7/14/2020 

Nehemiah led the rebuilding effort in Jerusalem. And the Jews living there followed his lead. Throughout the city, the people rebuilt the wall that was directly opposite their residence (right out the front door). As a result, the people were able to keep focus on work that was both familiar and directly in front of them.  

Nehemiah’s Great Project 

Nehemiah was able to help keep the Israelite volunteers focused by allowing them to concentrate their effort. He wanted them to take responsibility for the wall directly in front of them. Moreover, he wanted them to work on a project that was both familiar and always right in front of their sight.  

This helped to keep them from feeling overwhelmed by the massive scale of the project. As a result, they need not worry. All they had to do each day was go out and replace the familiar stones of the ancient broken wall that they already experienced each day.  

Working Free From Anxiety 

Ideally, my chosen work is always a little more challenging than my present level of skill. In this way, I am always motivated to learn and grow.  

The best way for me to do this is to take advantage familiar things. So, by focusing my attention on the ordinary circumstances of life, I remain “in the moment”. And by remaining in the moment, I become free from anxiety in order to work to my full potential.  

So, my prayer: “Let me be content to meet the challenge of today with the call to love – in my ordinary circumstances.” And, in this way, I become a little less distracted by the swirl of larger world events over which I probably have very little control. 

“So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free.” John 8:36