By guest writer and local dad Scott McClymonds, owner of Busy Bees Christian Preschool
Hello again Moms of Northwest Arkansas.A few months ago, I wrote here about the Old Testament book of Nehemiah.
In the third chapter of Nehemiah, the work of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem is started with great enthusiasm.As you read it you will find a long list of names, mostly unpronounceable.If we take a deeper look at it we find many families pulling together to build various sections of the wall.Nehemiah takes great pains to tell us what sections of the wall each family built, who put up gates, what their occupations were, and even a mention of those did not participate in the work.
What does wall building with the impossible names have to do with modern day Christianity?Much more than meets the eye.In fact, I believe it is one of the most significant and encouraging passages in all of Scripture.
See, the wall building by the Jewish families represents the families of our modern day church doing the work of God’s Kingdom, one brick and gate at a time.Not all of us can be the grand visionaries like Nehemiah. We don’t necessarily have the connections, the drive, or the skills to lead.But does God care about that?No, He does not.
Think about how these hard working people who built this wall were honored by Him.Their names and service to God’s Kingdom were forever recorded in the Bible as an encouragement to the rest of us.This lets us know that God appreciates our work, and does not consider our efforts trivial even though we might not be in the limelight.
It is amazing that God’s Kingdom grows through the detailed, often painstaking work of ordinary people like you and I.Isn’t it comforting to know that we don’t have to be a Nehemiah, an Apostle Paul, or some famous figure in order to be appreciated by God?In fact, Jesus tells us in Matthew 25 that He says, “Well done good and faithful servant” to those who feed the hungry, visit the sick, and shelter strangers.Hardly glamorous work, but highly appreciated by God.
In Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4 the Apostle Paul tells us that we all have certain spiritual gifts, meaning talents God has given us to benefit the church.In Ephesians 2:8-10 we are told that we are saved by grace through faith, and that we were created in Christ Jesus to do good works, just like the Jewish people did who built the wall around Jerusalem.
In conclusion, I encourage you to assess the talents and interests God has given you, and to find ways to lead your family in using those gifts to do Kingdom work.And don’t feel bad if your work seems obscure, behind the scenes, or unnoticed, because God Himself notices and appreciates your work.He created you in Christ Jesus to do the work He has given you, and He really does value it.
For those of you who were around in the late 70’s, early 80’s, the rock band Pink Floyd had a song with the lyrics, “all in all you’re just another brick in the wall”.Obviously they hadn’t read the third chapter of Nehemiah.What a shame to have such a negative attitude and felling of insignificance.As believers we know better.The Bible makes it plain as day.Don’t ever let yourself be fooled into thinking you are an insignificant part of God’s Kingdom.Keep doing the work, one brick at a time, one cup of cold water at a time, and let your kids see your example.
