Monday, September 26,2011
Reading: Nehemiah 4:10-15
Reflection: I love the phrase where we are told that the people "worked with all their hearts." Here is a group of people who for a couple of generations have struggled with the reality that they have no boundaries around their place of worship. They have no reason to believe that the positive changes they make to their lives, worship and city will long last as they have no protection from their enemies. Some years earlier, we see half-hearted workers who are not thrilled with the rebuilt temple because it wasn't as big and glorious as Solomon's temple. But here, after all these years of struggle, are giving all they have to make progress. And, not surprisingly, progress is what they make. They get half way done in a very brief amount of time. So, maybe one lesson here is that every person gets involved with every drop of energy they have that real progress...even after years of set backs...can be gained in a big hurry.