Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”
Nehemiah 2:4-5
This is the first Time Out Tuesday in a series exploring the "go" of our lives. You may wonder what you are to do with your life. How do you know what God wants you to do? How do you go about it? Do you have to wait for a voice from heaven to tell you to get going; or can you simply see a need- and ask to go?
Nehemiah asked to go. The Isrealites had been in captivity and the walls of Jerusalem torn down. The few people who were able to return home after escaping captivity were sitting ducks. A wall was a city's protection in those days. Without it, any enemy could come and ransack them easily. Nehemiah saw the devastation and dangerous situation his people were in. It very much upset him so that he mourned, fasted, and prayed for days; asking the Lord to give him favor in the king's eyes to go and help his people. The Lord did just that and provided everything he needed to complete his task. What had taken his people years to attempt, Nehemiah completed in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15). He restored the walls and gates of Jerusalem and peace to the hearts of his people. Psalm 37:4 says that if we delight in God, He will give us the desire of our hearts. If something moves you, it very well could be a passion or interest God has given you. Following Nehemiah's example, spend time in prayer and fasting. Research the logistics of your dream, get counsel from trusted mentors. And when the time is right, go!
Nehemiah encountered some opposition in the process from his enemies, but he sought the Lord, used wisdom, and kept on building until he was finished. As you begin to walk out your journey, passion, project, schooling, new job, family, ministry (get the point?), you may encounter set backs, opposition, doubters, etc. Don't let them stop you. Seek the Lord first (Matthew 6:33.) God will give you favor, wisdom, and provision, just as He gave Nehemiah. Get ready, get set.. Go!
P.s. You should study the book of Nehemiah using the Through The Word app. It's a great story.