Read: Nehemiah 1:1 – 2:20
Then I said to the king, “…I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves, so that I may rebuild it.” Nehemiah 2:5
Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the King Artaxerxes of Persia. Nehemiah learned that his native city of Jerusalem was in ruins with its great wall no more than a heap of rubble. With an aggrieved heart, Nehemiah prayed to God, and in prayer he was moved by God to ask the king for permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was not a mason, he was not a leader, he was not even living in Jerusalem—he was simply the person who brought the king his wine cup when it was requested. Nehemiah may not have had the skill set to rebuild much of anything, but he was in the position to make it happen. Nehemiah made his request, permission was granted, and rebuilding ensued.
God is a building and rebuilding God. Even when God breaks something or someone down, it is with a mind to rebuilding stronger and better. We, too, are called to be builders and rebuilders. We may not have the skill set of a master mason, but sometimes that does not matter as much as being in the right place and having the right relationship to facilitate a reconstruction project. Opportunity is often more important than ability. You may be the family member who is best positioned to mend estrangements. You may be the employee who is perfectly positioned to suggest paths to integrity and prosperity. In an uncertain economic time, you may be well positioned in your town to encourage community-building activities. We live in a broken world, and God calls each of us to use our position to rebuild our lives together.
What brokenness can you begin to mend in the lives and world around you?
Lord, there is brokenness all around me. I see it. I hear of it. I feel it. Most of the time, I do not feel I have the abilities needed to mend the rifts and rebuild the relationships that cry out for healing. But, You have put me in a position to effect changes if I am simply willing to make the effort. Lord, You are a builder and rebuilder. I am ready to join You in Your work. In Your name, I pray. AMEN.