Walking on Eggshells to Avoid Landmines

Nehemiah 6

The threat level has intensified to bright red. There is no safe space for Nehemiah, framed by enemies spreading conspiracy theories (v. 1-9), betrayed by religious leaders telling him bold-face lies (v.10-14), and entangled in a web of dysfunctional family loyalties (v.17-19). At any moment, someone will crack, or something will blow.

Four times in this chapter words like fear, frighten, and afraid, describe what each of these opposing groups wanted Nehemiah to experience internally as a result of their intimidating letters and lies, rumors and reports.  If they could just make him feel vulnerable, fear would shrivel Nehemiah into inaction. 

Trust no one.

Be afraid.

Give up.

But Nehemiah’s response gives us insight into the convictions that held him steady to his calling when it would have been reasonable to walk away.

“I’m doing a great work.” (v.3) 

Interestingly, that work likely included tasks that could be considered not-so-great. Imagine the hours of city council meetings, getting approval of architectural drawings, and recruiting the labor force to spend months in masonry. But it was great because his work was entrusted to him by God. 

When all of the little tasks included in our work don’t exactly feel great, how convinced are we that our work is great because of the One who assigned it to us? Only that kind of conviction will hold us steady when opposition comes. 

I want to say with Nehemiah, “This work came from God, therefore it’s too great to abandon.”

“O God, strengthen my hands.” (v.9)

Although approved by the king, it wasn’t the king who empowered Nehemiah to govern or to fill the role of General Contractor. The power to accomplish anything on behalf of Jerusalem came by the strength God gave him, and Nehemiah depended prayerfully on that strength when everyone seemed to be against him.

If I had been in Nehemiah’s position, I probably would have tip-toed out in the night and run straight back to King Artaxerxes to ask for reinforcements. I think I would have looked for strength from the wrong source. 

I want to say with Nehemiah, “My strength to do this work comes from God, therefore, it’s Him I need most in order to do it.”

“This work has been accomplished by the help of our God.” (v.16)

The lack of support plus the motley crew on site just didn’t add up to the astonishing completion of the city wall. But 52 days later, the job was done. Only a work of God could have produced these results, and even the opposition reached this conclusion.

When the first two responses are true about our lives, then may anyone evaluating our work conclude correctly, “She did this work by the help of her God.”

For Life & Home

I came across the interior designer, Jean Stoffer, a few years ago, and I loved her attentive, thoughtful restoration of historic houses. It was intriguing to me that she seemed to have “suddenly” appeared in the popular design world, yet she was in her 60’s. From her demeanor, it was clear that there was something deeper about her.

When her book Establishing Home arrived on Target’s shelves, I wanted to know more. 

You’ll be inspired by her story if you’re holding loosely to a dream that hasn’t had much momentum because of your stage of life; if you’re chipping away at a project that hardly looks different from one day to the next; or if you’re feeling like slow might just mean never.

Jean consistently kept her values of God and family at the forefront of her business decisions, although it was agonizing to do so at times. After turning down a large-scale design opportunity, because it would have interfered with her family life, she writes this, “I was saying yes to growing my business slowly, one project at a time. Would I ever see an opportunity like that again? I had no idea.” 

She believed that God would bring the next right opportunity within her priorities, but that didn’t make the choices obvious or easy along the way. Building her business at a pace that fit her family’s rhythm required faith, and in a culture where going viral is the goal, she models what it means to go step by step. 

Check out Establishing Home

Approved & Pleasing

Last week, after returning from a retreat and launching a women’s Bible study at our church, an attack from the enemy came full-force into my heart:

“No one will be closer to Jesus because of those verses.”

“All you did was talk about things that don’t matter.”

“That was a waste of time.”

“If you didn’t see tears, the Word didn’t reach hearts.”

“You think there was any power behind that message?”

Etcetera. In the moment, those words landed as more valid and true than any other words. 

I’m sure you’ve been there. You’ve given yourself to something God called you into, and afterward, the second-guessing, the doubts, and the lies land heavy. “What was I even thinking to imagine God could use me?”, we ask ourselves.

But there are words more valid and true that fight back like a sword:

1. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

We put forth effort within our callings so that we stand tested and approved by God, not by others, and not even by ourselves, so tainted by pride and vulnerable to deception. Feedback and self-evaluation have their place, but they don't determine whether God approves. Handling God’s word faithfully enables us to stand unashamed in its truth when the enemy aims darts of shame at us.

…So was I aiming for God’s approval by accurately handling His word? 

2. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Pleasing God begins with faith, not with activity. Actions within our calling must be based on faith that God is calling! We draw nearer to God in what He’s calling us to do, because we believe that He is in it and that He rewards our step of faith.

…So was I walking by faith in what I did?

Although I did it feebly, these were the truths I had to take to heart and the questions I asked back at the lies. Whatever God has called you to today, arm yourself with words more valid and true than all other words.

Playlists & Podcasts

Whether I’m working out or washing dishes, I’m motivated by music and by insightful conversations. Maybe you are too, so I thought I’d share a few songs that have been filling my heart with worship lately:

 Love of God, Brandon Lake and Phil Whickham (how can I pick just one of theirs?!)

Holy Forever, Jenn Johnson

Lead Me On, Chandler Moore

Daily Bread, Pat Barrett and Kari Jobe

Prince of Peace, Josh Baldwin

Thank you Jesus for the Blood, Charity Gayle

…and some of my favorite podcasts:

Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast for anyone leading people in some way.

The Graham Cochrane Show for anyone who owns a business or wants to start one.

Don’t miss this three-part interview! Jennie Allen and Jamie Winship:

Part 1: Conflict Zones, the CIA, and Listening to God

Part 2: Why are you Afraid?

Part 3: Finding Freedom from Fear

I hope one of these resources moves you to worship more fully with all that you are today!

E for Effort

As I read Philippians 1 & 2, it was surprising to me how many words or concepts in these chapters begin with one repeated letter. If you Google the most frequently used letter in our alphabet, the English language has a favorite one, and it’s apparently the vowel E.

Paul didn’t write in English, so I don’t believe E has any divine meaning behind it, but if I were looking for a way to remember the topics from these first two chapters in Philippians, I’d start with E.

I pray,

Eager to see what only

Eternity will complete.

Embracing love more, may your

Excellent lives bear their fruit.

I know

Each of my trials bring joy,

Envy or good will aside.

Even by life or death, our

Eternal Christ is proclaimed.

I am

Encouraged by Him who was 

Equal with God, and yet He

Emptied Himself to His death,

Even to death on a cross.

He was

Exalted by God above

Every name known in the

Earth and the heavens, so that

Every knee bows to Him.

It’s not

Easy to shine, just like these: 

Epaphroditus and Tim.

Endure, yet be sure that the

Effort’s all Christ’s, and He won.