Bible Reading: Nehemiah 2:1-20
The walls of Jerusalem were falling apart. The people didn't seem to care. They simply went about their own lives, not giving a thought to the condition of God's chosen city. The Israelites were apathetic and ambivalent, but Nehemiah cared. In Nehemiah 1:12a Nehemiah said, "I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem." Nehemiah had a passion for God and God's chosen city so he took action to help restore Jerusalem's beauty.
Sadly, apathy and ambivalence are common in the church and in the lives of many believers. Repairs may need to be made to the church building, cleaning may need to be done, people within the church or community may be hurting or struggling and need of comfort, support, or assistance, and people don't notice or worse, don't care.
Why? They are self-absorbed. In their minds, as long as things are going well for them, nothing else matters. They think, "I don't have the time to fix things or clean around the church" or "If someone needs help, let him tell the pastor or go to social services. They can help him."
I encourage you--step out of yourself. Look around. Find a job that needs doing at church or a person who needs help or encouragement. Decide today to leave your apathy and ambivalence behind and to become as passionate as Nehemiah about the things that mean something to God.
"The king said to me, 'What is it you want?' Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, 'If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it.'" Nehemiah 2:4 & 5
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the passion of Nehemiah so I will eagerly and joyfully serve my church and my community. In Jesus' name. Amen.