Living like Nehemiah

As I have been preparing for a Life Group for some young adult guys, I've been looking at different men throughout the Bible. Most people who know the Bible look at Jesus, Moses, David, Paul, Daniel, Jonah, and other well known men. After all, if you grew up in children's church, you know their stories. I still think of the Hannah Barbara cartoon of "Daniel and the Lions Den" every time I read through that book. But Nehemiah? Too often he's overlooked.

Nehemiah's desire to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem is the kind of faith I can relate to. It makes sense to me, because sometimes you hear God telling you to do something with your life, and while others might not see the significance, you know it is part of a greater plan for what God is doing with you.

I honestly believe people wake up some days and know something is off. They can't put their finger on it, but there is something they are supposed to be doing or supposed to be working for. I also believe God reveals to us only what we need to see or hear, and not necessarily details to what he wants us to do. This isn't based on anything Biblical I've read (accept maybe with Jacob in Genesis), but rather personal experience. There's obviously choice involved, but when God puts something on your heart and you accept it, the choice presents itself with clarity.

Nehemiah wanted to rebuild a wall, and ultimately, a nation.... but it started with the wall. His passion is what brought people into his circle of influence, because his faith was enough to make them believe it could be done.

I could go on and on and on, but I'll leave it at this: God gives us the desires of our hearts, and if we follow his ways, he will let those desires burn so hot that we can't do anything else in life but go after them.