The Finish Line

But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!”

Nehemiah 6:11 (NIV)

We all have a project that is close to our hearts. We think about it every day, we dream about it. But often, when we start it, at the first sign of an obstacle we become discouraged and abandon our dream project. Nehemiah had no important social or spiritual position in Israel, yet God had entrusted him with the mission of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. For this, the king of Babylon had granted him permission to go there to recruit competent and qualified workers to carry out this great project.

After six weeks of hard work, the project was at a satisfactory level. However, this did not prevent an obstacle from pushing Nehemiah to want to give up. Men who did not agree to the rebuilding of the walls threatened him and said that he wanted to become king. The people around him encouraged him to hide in the temple. Instead of giving up, Nehemiah asked himself the question that would give him courage: “Can a man like me flee? Or what man like me enter the temple and live?”

No matter what project we are working on, there is always a time or period when we feel a little lost and depressed. This is the most difficult time. We either give up or we keep going. No matter the circumstances, we must remember that it is the end that counts. All our efforts will be in vain if we give up halfway. Nehemiah’s question reminded him that God was with him. Like him, remember that the finish line is where you must focus so that you do not get discouraged by the obstacles.

May God’s grace and peace be with you all.