For most of
us, life is much more interesting and worth living when there is forward
movement. People’s speech attests to
this when we hear them say things such as; “I feel like my life is stuck”. So we all love progress and want to experience
growth of sort in the different areas of our lives. Often when we think of
growth and the things that we want to achieve, we seldom think of the
challenges that will come with it. We
end up with an idealistic idea of where we would like to see ourselves in a
certain time frame. For some people,
even when the dream is clear and they know what they want to achieve,
discouragement won’t let them start.
They feel inadequate and don’t even attempt to achieve their dreams
because the voice that says, “You’re not good enough” is louder than the one
that says, “You can do it”. If we make it past the first stage and believe that
we can, we thus start projects with optimism until challenges rudely interrupt
our course and discourage us. It is always harder at the beginning and I
suspect that the enemy of progress knows that once you start, the chances of
stopping you are slimmer.
There’s a
story in the bible that perfectly illustrates how we ought to approach life if
we are to keep moving. A man by the name
of Nehemiah rebuilds the walls of Jerusalem following their return from
exile. The lack of fortified walls meant
that they were left defenseless against enemies. As he inspects the walls, Sanballat and his
buddies (enemies) were very displeased and set out to discourage from starting
(chapter 2 v 10, 19). Nehemiah jumps
over the first hurdle with powerful words that show great faith in God (2
v20). He then sets the plan in motion
and the people work to rebuild the wall and make good progress. In chapter 4, we see Sanballat and buddies
coming much stronger in opposition.
Having failed to stop them by mocking them with words, they plot to
fight against Jerusalem and cause confusion in it. As a response to this, Nehemiah tells that
they “prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and
night”. To keep good progress, Nehemiah
tells us “16 So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants
worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the
bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house
of Judah. 17 Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens,
loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with
the other held a weapon.”
I came across this text about 4 years ago and it taught me a
pivotal lesson that I think all of us should have to succeed. When God gives us a dream, it is not void of
struggles and opposition. This is a
lesson we get from many biblical characters; all of them victoriously get to
the other side and attest that it was a bumpy ride. Nehemiah tells us that his workers had a
SHOVEL in one hand to BUILD and a SWORD in the other to FIGHT off the enemy. Through the years I have learned that this
kind of readiness for opportunity/progress and opposition/discouragement was
necessary for me to move forward. The
workers not only had a tool for forward movement, they had a tool to prevent
them from regressing. Most of us only
have shovels in our hands, but we are left totally vulnerable to attack from
the enemy that often comes unexpectedly.
I imagine that it must have been really hard, but necessary. We must
guard against discouragement at all costs. I am by no means suggesting that you
go get yourself a sword and wield it as you walk the streets. Your weapon is
the word of God. The same weapon that Jesus used when the enemy tried to
deceive him into worshiping him. So even when it seems that things are not
working out, you can draw your sword that says, “ when the enemy shall come in
like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him”.
When you feel attacked in every area of your life you know that “No weapon that
is formed (specifically designed) for you shall prosper”.
“We are more than conquerors through him who loved us” Romans
8:37
May you be a shovel and sword kinda’ WoMan!!
No comments:
Post a Comment