In his book, Gaining By Losing, J.D. Greear poses two questions every believer should ask himself/herself:
- What skills have God given me by which I can bless the world? And,
- Where, and how, can I do that most strategically to advance the mission of God?
Considering those questions, I’d like to revisit Nehemiah’s wall, but from a different perspective. If you can recall the map we’ve used numerous times throughout this journey, Nehemiah assigned workers to different wall sections primarily based on where they lived. Re-read Chapter 3, and you’ll see all the different areas, the workers, and their various assignments.
But consider this… Instead of the Tower of the Hundred (v.1) or the Fish Gate (v.3) or the Broad Wall (v.8), etc… what if the map included the following assignments:
Sunday Morning, 9:00 am – 1st Grade Small Group Leader
Sunday Morning, 10:45 am – Kids Church Activity Coordinator
Midweek, 6:00 pm – Toddler Wrangler (just keeping it real)
Worship Team – Drummer
These are only four examples within the plethora of opportunities on our to-do lists weekly as we work toward God’s call to make disciples while we’re here on this campus. It’s a both/and approach. And here’s what I mean.
In the northern center of the map of Nehemiah’s wall, there’s a small box representing the temple, where the people of God gathered and worshiped. From there, as the people returned to their homes and communities, they considered themselves sent… on mission. The people also brought their gifts, skills, and abilities TO the temple.
It’s a both/and approach.
When we come to campus, we’re on a mission field—so many opportunities. And when we leave this place, we’re entering the mission field as well. So many opportunities. It’s a both/and.
So I offer again:
- What skills have God given me by which I can bless the world? And,
- Where, and how, can I do that most strategically to advance the mission of God?