Welcome 2013…
Happy New Year folks – now as this my first blog of 2013, its a bit longer than usual, but I hope you read it to the end, share it and even leave a comment.
I recently read the book of Nehemiah, it’s a book in the bible that I’ve read in part before, but you know when you read and the words start popping off the page at you, well when I was reading it this time God started pointing some really key things that I’d not seen before.
Firstly Nehemiah wasn’t happy with the state of things in Jerusalem the walls were broken down, the city half populated the glory of his forefathers had gone. Things were not looking good. and this upset him greatly.
He himself was in exile but when he heard about his beloved Jerusalem he really wasn’t happy about it.
“They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.””(Nehemiah 1:3 NIV)
So Nehemiah says…
“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” (Nehemiah 1:4 NIV)
But Nehemiah didn’t stop there he repented on behalf of the nation…
He reminded God about his heritage and about His covenant with the people, he once again turned his face back to the Lord. He knew that by rebuilding the walls he could also rebuild the relationship between God and his people they just had to be reminded of how things used to be and how great they could be again, if only the people, returned back to serving God.
Read: (Nehemiah 1:5-11 NIV) for the full story.
The key in the book of Nehemiah for me that God took not a king or a prince but a cup bearer and used him to rally people together to rebuild the walls. You know what revival starts with you and me, it starts with worshippers. If we can build walls of praise that even in the midst of stuff, that is the key to our breakthrough, knowing that He inhabits our praise.
Nehemiah really did have a huge task in front of him and there was no way he was going to be able to do it on his own!
To win back this nation we are not only going to need Gods help were going to need each other.
He was going to have to work with folks that didn’t necessarily want to work with him or for him, there were many against him who knew the potential of what could happen if they rebuilt the walls.
God gave him insight into what was going on and he armed the people, set watches for the enemy and prepared the people so that the walls could be rebuilt. He brought the remnant of people together and they worked together re-build the walls.
They worked determined to see the walls of the city stand again. A city wall that originally took years to build was re-built in 52 days.
In my day job I have the privilege of working with some really talented people, they know their stuff and they do their jobs well, on their own what they do is great but when we work as a team share ideas, and thoughts we have the potential to do greater things! When we collaborate and pull the best out of each other innovation happens and great ideas are birthed.
I’ve been hearing from my peers the need to collaborate work together, not to work in silos any more because they can stunt growth and fresh ideas. I’ve heard so many times this past year in the marketplace “collaborate share ideas”, “be innovative and cutting edge”, “be ahead of the curve rather than behind it”.
If the marketplace have been doing this, companies like Google, Facebook, Apple, Virgin, Innocent drinks gather the best in their fields to work for them and produce top class products and services, then my point is why can’t the church?
What are we afraid of??
I’m talking about working with and collaborating with folks that we wouldn’t normally, coming out of our comfort zones and allowing God to stretch us. Expecting Him to do more.
Breaking the rules, putting aside the things that keep us apart and joining forces to usher revival into our nation.
I was born here, I have a vested interest here. There is no other nation in the world like ours. The diverse mix of cultures, ethnicities isn’t found anywhere else.
I keep hearing about a “Sound” that is coming, well that sound is US! It’s the sound of the Worshipper, hungry and desperate for change. Longing for more of Gods presence in every sphere of society. With one heart coming together to usher in the new season that’s not coming but already here.
Let him who has ears to hear…
Why should we be afraid to celebrate each other if we are all in His kingdom. When you do well I do well – That’s Kingdom.
We rebuild by working together.
We should support one another and not be afraid to do so, this is how we can change the world together….
And they’ll know who we are by our genuine love for each other.
Innovation + collaboration = Kingdom
“Thy Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”
The world will only take notice of us when we are united. Just like the nations around Judah began to be afraid when they heard that the God of the Israelites had helped them rebuild the walls.
Let’s look at it another way, Judah (Praise) was being re-built and it was a threat to the nations surrounding it.
It’s time for us as Worshippers to gather together and declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into his marvellous light.
It’s time to sing a new song! Worshippers it’s time to arise shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord shines and rests upon you.
I know for me that as I step into 2013 I stay true to what I’ve been called to do and not to do the things he hasn’t called me to do. Don’t do things just because you can, but do it because you’re called to it. It’s the call that will carry you through even when you can’t see the wood for the trees.
Things may come to discourage you and even try to get you off track, but just remember what he has spoken to you. Pray into those words, worship and wait, your answer is coming, faint not!
Until next time from a worshipper who happens to be…