The Wall in Your World

We all have something in our lives that we've struggled with for a long time.

Maybe even years.

Whether it's a habit, a compulsive behavior, a lofty goal, getting out of debt, repairing a relationship, or extending forgiveness, each of us have a wall in our world.

Maybe, like me, you have more than one.

I call them walls because of Nehemiah's example in the Old Testament.

In January, I listened to a sermon podcast from Andy Stanley called The One Thing. The message focused on Nehemiah's determination to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem that had been laying in rubble for over 100 years.

Nehemiah was a Jewish man who had probably never been to Jerusalem. Yet God placed a burden on his heart to rebuild the wall in order to return protection and direction back to God's people there.

Nehemiah gathered money, supplies, and the people of Jerusalem, set the vision, and began rebuilding the wall. Jerusalem's enemies and surrounding war lords didn't appreciate Nehemiah's interference in their blatant plundering of the city, so they launched attacks against the workers. Started rumors against Nehemiah. Came up with other distractions to stop progress on the wall.

But once Nehemiah climbed up on that wall, he declared one life-transforming statement: "I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down." Neh. 6:3 (ESV).

No matter the attacks or distractions, Nehemiah rebuilt that wall with relentless determination. He didn't come down until the job was finished.

Our walls can be different things. We could stand on the wall of great parenting and not get distracted by overcommitment until that job is finished. Climb up the wall of building a great marriage or a thriving ministry. Stand firm on the wall of leading a healthier lifestyle or getting out of debt.

But something keeps getting in the way. Lack of motivation, laziness, inattentiveness, defeated thinking.

Regardless of the wall in our world, you and I need Nehemiah determination to finish strong.

To close our ears to distractions.

To pray God's armor around us each time the enemy tries to sabotage our efforts.

To keep our eyes on God instead of less important tasks.

And when it's all said and done, God will get the glory, just like He did when Nehemiah finished the wall: "So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God." Neh. 6:15-16 (ESV)

I've listened to Andy's message every day (literally) since I heard it. It reminds me to climb up on my wall each and every day with Nehemiah determination and say, "I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down."

This time next year, I believe my wall will stand strong and tall - though not necessarily completed. It will take a lifetime of Nehemiah determination and the strength of God Almighty to ensure that particular wall doesn't erode or crumble over time.

But I've climbed on my wall.

And I'm not coming down.

Let's talk: Can you identify your wall? Have you climbed it before?
.