Nehemiah 2:7-10
by Susanne Moore
Do you ever feel like you missed a step? Does that missed step ultimately lead to a fall? One of the most valuable lessons I learned the hard way was learning how to set myself up for success. Just like missing a step when you are going downstairs and unfortunately falling to the ground (that has never happened to me of course…wink, wink.) It matters what steps you take for a good outcome.
Somehow Nehemiah received the memo. He thought ahead to what he might face on his journey to rebuild this wall. He asked the king to send letters ahead to governors’ and to the royal park for supplies and the king granted his requests. How many times are we afraid to ask God for our future needs? Like ok God, you have called me to this place, so please go before me. Not so hard, is it?
I have sold insurance for so long that I know how to set myself up for sales success. When I am training others, I teach them how to set themselves up for success. I put things on the calendar months in advance, for promotions, certain things I do throughout the year and when my funnel is low, I rebuild it. I have a boss that prays over us, how awesome is that.
This hit me like a brick as I was contemplating if I do this in the other aspects of my life. I do not…I have really been struggling with this. I have had trouble functioning with success in mind. Why? Because for one I didn’t ask God to go before me. Two, I need to figure out how to define the steps I need to take to move myself into a position to win the battle of my mind. I have not had thirty-five years to perfect this particular journey in my life, the rebuilding process. Three, I had never connected Nehemiah’s journey to my own.
What happens when we fail? Five years ago, I had the epic failure of my life. I had let another abuser in, and I had let him have his way with my soul. The enemy was crouching at my door, and he smelled like men’s cologne and shiny gifts. He was kind, generous and sweet. How quietly, don’t miss that, QUIETLY, that sweetness became vicious. For five years I have been unraveling the damage and learning who I am again in Jesus.
That is part of the rebuilding, as we saw in Choice 1. Mourn, Fast, Pray. Mourning, I did alot of mourning. Choice 2. Ask the Lord for what you want. Give yourself permission to go slow and methodical so you can make lasting changes. As we contemplate setting our future up for success, following this beautiful blueprint that Nehemiah has graciously written out for us, is truly a good way to avoid failing. However, we must never forget failing is learning too. So do not hold onto any shame or angst for having failed in the past. God is a God of redemption.
Nehemiah did not make hasty decisions. Nehemiah consulted God and asked him to go before him. Nehemiah asked for what he would need to rebuild. God used the king to accomplish his desire for Nehemiah. Notice in verse b, “the king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.” If you are doing God’s work, you are not alone and God not only provides the path, the tools but he protects you along the way. HOW incredibly awesome is that.
Remember the snake. Oh, he is always slithering into our stories. In verse 10 the naysayers show up, “disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites” but God…. Follow me for Choice four coming soon.
Susanne Moore 