The path of following Jesus is often riddled with distractions, hardships, and opposition. When we place our faith in Jesus and align our lives with His heart and mission, we can expect to face challenges from the world around us and the brokenness within us.
This is nothing new. Nehemiah, amid his successful efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, had to deal with a constant barrage of distractions. Yet, he refused to act in a way that would derail his mission or compromise his character. This Sunday, as we look at the ways that Nehemiah responded to potential distractions, we will consider ways that we can be better equipped to withstand challenges in our lives that threaten to throw us off course. Most importantly, we will be reminded of the faithfulness of Jesus, who remained firm in His mission to the end, and who alone grants us the strength to stand firm in our times of trial.
As you prepare for Sunday, I encourage you to read through Nehemiah 6:1-19. Ask Jesus to show you areas in your life where you most need His grace and strength to remain true to His ways. Which distractions do you need to take a stand against? Jesus doesn't promise us that this road will be easy, but He does promise to be with us on the journey.
