Nehemiah 3:15-5:13 / 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 / Psalm 32 / Proverbs 21:5-7
As followers of Jesus Christ, we have priorities regarding where we spend our time and energy. Many get their priorities backward and it causes deficits in every area. However, when we have first things first, our lives are filled with both peace and productivity.
and lazy. That is not true. If we are not filled with God’s Spirit, and receiving the rest we require, we will not be able to help anyone else. Have you ever tried to work your job or care for your family when you’re exhausted? You end up making mistakes and sometimes taking up much more time having to re-do tasks because you are not at your best.
I promise there are enough hours in the day to care first for yourself, then your family, then others. Part of caring for yourself as a follower of Jesus is quiet time spent with Him. Build that relationship with Jesus first, then build your family, then your friend relationships. You will have time for everything when done in proper order.
As I was reading Nehemiah, which is a book in the Bible that I really enjoy, I was interested by the fact that as each family worked to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, many of them worked on the wall right across from their own house. I see this as these families wisely considering their own safety first so that they could later be responsible for the safety of others.
There is also the aspect that as each family took care of his own section of the wall, the community was made stronger. Because of the attacks of those who opposed the building of the wall, many worked with building materials in one hand and a weapon in the other. The community also took turns guarding and building. If they had not worked together, the wall would not have been rebuilt and all of them would have been open to attack.
By you taking care of your own soul, you are also contributing to the strength of your family and community of friends. If you are part of a church community, they are thankful for your strength although they may not be aware from where it comes. You can quietly know that you are contributing to the success of all as you work to strengthen yourself in the Lord.
Perceiving life from this perspective certainly puts the traditional views of church life into question. You know the views; the ones that believe the man or woman behind the pulpit is responsible for all the feeding and all the tending. Those who do church life this way are burning themselves out while not allowing the body to be released into their gifts and callings. This is a disservice to all Christ’s body.
The one who teaches and disciples you must be feeding you with the intent of you learning not only to feed yourself, but also that you will learn to feed others and keep that cycle of self-feeding perpetuated.
Matthew 28:19-20 tells us Now wherever you go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And teach them to faithfully follow all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age.
Jesus told his followers to make disciples. We are now His followers, so not only must we be disciples we must make disciples. I believe you can teach someone even if you are only one step ahead of them in your learning, or even if you are learning together and you have a heart to show another what you’re learning.
There are no special qualifications required other than you must be born again, filled with God’s Spirit, and willing to help others in their growth. We need more people like that in the Church. We need those who will feed themselves and help others do the same. Where do you see yourself in this picture? Self-evaluation is important, so take time today to ask God where you fit into this scenario for church growth.
We must care first for our own souls. Some believe to do self-care is self-centered
