Working Extra

Nehemiah 3:27

Next to them, the men of Tekoa repaired another section, from the great projecting tower to the wall of Ophel.

I learned from a very special mentor back in college that a leader is most successful when the work continues even without him. So last month, before I left for my sister’s graduation in Manila, I made sure I delegated the children’s ministry tasks to competent people. Receiving no calls that weekend, I was confident all went well as prayed for. It did. Except for that detail that the teacher assigned for the evening service had a surprise guest and another willingly took her place to attend to the kids. The latter had all the reasons not to do it: she already taught that morning, she also needed to attend the service, she had a full day already, and she still had wife-y responsibilities when she gets home. But she didn’t use all those valid excuses to avoid working extra.  She didn’t even complained after or brag about her sacrifices. She just did it with her whole heart - - and with a right heart.

Chapter 3 of Nehemiah was a lengthy read, especially because it’s an account of hard-to-pronounce names and i-have-no-idea-where locations. The long and short of it was these remnants were called by God through Nehemiah’s leadership to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. From priests to goldsmiths, rulers to commoners, fathers, sons, even daughters, all worked as one to complete the task.  Aside from Baruch who zealously repaired a section, my reading highlighted the men of Tekoa too. The verse above was the second mention of their names, meaning, this was already an extra work for them. Earlier in verse 5, they were next to Zadok working near the Fish Gate and then we read these words: ‘though their leaders refused to work with the construction supervisors’. But despite the lack of expected help, these men of Tokea  were able to finish their double-load, even faster than others, and willingly walked some more extra miles to help where it was needed.

We all wished to be regarded as good Samaritans. We are compassionate people and if really needed, will extend help to those hurting.  But of course, everyone understands that sometimes we also have family issues, and have tight budgets, and have very important meetings, and can’t be Superman all the time. Better yet, isn’t ‘I’ll pray for you’ godly enough? Why extend another hand? Why walk an extra mile? But can you imagine God clicking autopilot after creation? What He gave us was perfection that could last a thousand generation. But when we chose sin and the consequences gave birth to more rottenness, He didn’t say ‘Not my problem guys. I did my part.’ Instead He sent Jesus to take that painful extra mile to save us all.  And although it was enough, His grace still overflows. Note His answers to our prayers. His timely protection. His daily provision. These are all extra love. And what do we do with our extra supplies? Yes, we give it out : )

Shut Up or Shout Out?

Nehemiah 2:12
I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.

I had the task last weekend to organize Windsong’s training seminar for Metro Cebu. Two days before the event, we were still short of seventy one registrants and the equivalent fees.  My heart was racing at every thought of the teachers’ housing, lovegifts, and gastronomical needs. I considered a handful of options but somehow nothing seemed to fit. Nearing desperation, I was ready for a shout-out. A ‘help me, anyone?’ And I did. To Him who best could. And the verse above were His words to me.

Nehemiah told NO ONE what God had put in his heart. He arrived in Jerusalem three days already and he still hasn’t made himself known to everyone. Very opposite from our political figures who instagram their every provincial visit and brag about their golden eggs even before the chickens meet. Nehemiah’s discreetness was evident in the descriptions ‘he set out during the night’, brought with him ‘a few others’, ‘told no one’ and had ‘only the donkey he was riding on’. He purposefully allowed no one to distract and discourage God’s will through him. I imagine his conversations with God as he inspected every crack and rubble: ‘Lord, will the resources suffice?’ ‘Will the people of Judah’s support this?’ ‘Can I really lead this humongous task?’. His fears were real. But greater was his faith. Not even that did he broadcast. Not until the appropriate time.

And so I sat in my corner resolved to shut my mouth. To those who know me, that’s an effort. But His word was clear. I promised God I will step aside and allow Him to do the talking.  He will move people’s hearts to Himself and for His glory. What He had put in my heart to do was to continue the preps. I did. I’m glad I did. For exactly the same day, I received a text from my pastor approving the check for the sponsored meals I requested, even doubling the amount! That afternoon too, we receive an email from Manila asking for our bank account and the amount was enough to cover the lodging and the remaining meals. And although the Walk-In registrants did not reach the target number, it was the amount we need to bless our teachers with lovegifts. And all I did was to zip my mouth! Guess I should do that more often : ) But not for praise. Not today. For today's the time to shout-out-loud: PRAISE GOD!