Nehemiah 3
Can you imagine what would happen to a church if the lead pastor ran all the ministries? The lead pastor would not only preach to adults, but he would also have to teach the children and the youth, too. Not to mention welcome people at the door, rock babies in the nursery, run sound and mic tests, lead worship, make coffee, and more! If this sounds a bit chaotic and out of order, it’s because it is! We are meant to serve in the local church and get involved. No one pastor or person can do it all. This is why we have a staff, elders, deacons, ministry leaders, and volunteers! And this is exactly why Nehemiah delegated and formed a team to help build the walls of Jerusalem!
In chapter 3, we read of many people by name or region that Nehemiah recorded. It would have been easier to just say the walls got rebuilt by many people of many different trades and regions. Instead, he listed the people specifically! Yet again, we see remarkable leadership skills by Nehemiah by showing his care for those underneath him. We read not only the names but the types of people who helped build the wall. This wasn’t just a construction project for those who had experience. We see even the high priest himself pitch in, as well as goldsmiths and those in the business of selling perfumes! Wow! I don’t know about you, but if someone asked an office manager like me to come build walls in a city, I would probably say I don’t meet the qualifications. The high priest could have used the excuse that he is too worthy or high in status to participate in such a project, but he didn’t! This is HUGE! How often do we make excuses for not participating in the mission of Jesus Christ? I have heard it all, and I’ve been each one before. “I’m too busy”, “I’m not needed”, “I don't know enough”, “No one likes me”, or maybe to put it bluntly, “I just don't want to”. This is the American church to its core! There is a saying that 10% of the church does 90% of the work. Unfortunately, it’s true! Finding people to give sacrificially of their time and talents is hard to come by! Thankfully, this wasn’t the case for Nehemiah. He had plenty of willing hands and willing hearts, even if they had no experience. These were people committed to a cause and willing to learn. As Christians, we are never going to know it all or one day be ready to serve. It takes stepping out in faith to be obedient to God and his church. There is so much joy that comes when you use your spiritual gifts for God's glory. There is absolutely nothing more fulfilling or rewarding. You also get to know other brothers and sisters along the way and can establish strong relationships! My worry is that many will miss out on that joy and blessing. Emmanuel has several ministries to get involved in, waiting for you! For many, it's not that they are unqualified, too old, too young, or too busy. It’s that they are unwilling to change. Together we can and have done great things for God's glory. Let us continue! We need each other. Many hands make light work. This is us…together!
Can you imagine what would happen to a church if the lead pastor ran all the ministries? The lead pastor would not only preach to adults, but he would also have to teach the children and the youth, too. Not to mention welcome people at the door, rock babies in the nursery, run sound and mic tests, lead worship, make coffee, and more! If this sounds a bit chaotic and out of order, it’s because it is! We are meant to serve in the local church and get involved. No one pastor or person can do it all. This is why we have a staff, elders, deacons, ministry leaders, and volunteers! And this is exactly why Nehemiah delegated and formed a team to help build the walls of Jerusalem!
In chapter 3, we read of many people by name or region that Nehemiah recorded. It would have been easier to just say the walls got rebuilt by many people of many different trades and regions. Instead, he listed the people specifically! Yet again, we see remarkable leadership skills by Nehemiah by showing his care for those underneath him. We read not only the names but the types of people who helped build the wall. This wasn’t just a construction project for those who had experience. We see even the high priest himself pitch in, as well as goldsmiths and those in the business of selling perfumes! Wow! I don’t know about you, but if someone asked an office manager like me to come build walls in a city, I would probably say I don’t meet the qualifications. The high priest could have used the excuse that he is too worthy or high in status to participate in such a project, but he didn’t! This is HUGE! How often do we make excuses for not participating in the mission of Jesus Christ? I have heard it all, and I’ve been each one before. “I’m too busy”, “I’m not needed”, “I don't know enough”, “No one likes me”, or maybe to put it bluntly, “I just don't want to”. This is the American church to its core! There is a saying that 10% of the church does 90% of the work. Unfortunately, it’s true! Finding people to give sacrificially of their time and talents is hard to come by! Thankfully, this wasn’t the case for Nehemiah. He had plenty of willing hands and willing hearts, even if they had no experience. These were people committed to a cause and willing to learn. As Christians, we are never going to know it all or one day be ready to serve. It takes stepping out in faith to be obedient to God and his church. There is so much joy that comes when you use your spiritual gifts for God's glory. There is absolutely nothing more fulfilling or rewarding. You also get to know other brothers and sisters along the way and can establish strong relationships! My worry is that many will miss out on that joy and blessing. Emmanuel has several ministries to get involved in, waiting for you! For many, it's not that they are unqualified, too old, too young, or too busy. It’s that they are unwilling to change. Together we can and have done great things for God's glory. Let us continue! We need each other. Many hands make light work. This is us…together!
Posted in Devotional