Hand Me Another Brick

I was watching my twin boys play with blocks the other day.  I watched them rebuild the same city over and over again with unwavering determination. They were determined to build this city no matter how many times it fell down.   As I was watching them play my mind flashed to the story of Nehemiah 6:1-16.

God told Nehemiah to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem as a protective barrier. So he set out to obey God.  Much like modern day life it wasn’t so easy to do. The devil tried to stop the plan of God. So the devil created several distractions to stop Nehemiah. First a group of men tried to trick him into meeting with them away from the jobsite. They hoped to distract him from the work God had given him to do. But Nehemiah knew these men only wanted to waste his time. Nehemiah’s response; Hand me another brick.  So the men started a rumor about him thinking he would get discouraged and quit.  Nehemiah’s response: Hand me another brick. When that didn’t work they told him that men were trying to kill him.  They hoped he would quit and go hide in the building tapped by fear.  Nehemiah’s response: Hand me another brick.

Have you ever had someone lie about you? Have you ever had someone start a rumor about you? I know it hurts. I validate your feelings.  It’s very frustrating when you can’t defend yourself. However, God is a great defense attorney. Let God defend you. Let your character speak for you. Let your response determine the quality of your finished product.

Most of us get discouraged, give up, and quit  the moment we get face to face with the distraction. You can pass this test.  You can persevere with the same determination as Nehemiah.  Keep your eyes on Christ not your pain.  Distractions and hurt feelings are a part of life. Everyone will experience this at some point.   Our response will determine what the finished product will look like.  Keep building a heart that follows God.  Keep building a home that seeks the face of God.  Keep building a spiritual legacy that can be passed to future generations. Don’t respond. Don’t react. Don’t give up. Don’t fight back. Don’t get distracted.

Picture yourself putting the word fear, lie, rumor, sickness, or distraction down between the bricks and smearing mud over it. Then picture yourself putting another brick on top of it. The mud you smeared over the words represent the power of God to cover the distraction. The brick on top represents your ability to keep moving forward.  Picture yourself doing this with every distraction that comes your way. Remember if satan can keep you distracted God can’t complete the plan He has for you.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you , declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

If you are faced with a lie, a rumor, sickness, a distraction, or fear, say, “Hand me another brick.” Let God fight for you while you keep building. The power of God will transform your situation as you keep building your life. Go get another brick, and start building again!!! You are a builder!!