Nehemiah has always struck me as as book which has much to teach on authority, Christian endeavour and mission (which here means taking the word of God to those who neither understand the language or the author Himself).
The image of working with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the next! The submission to Artaxerxes (or merely Xerxes) meant that he (Nehemiah) given the authority to rebuild the walls demonstrates the reality that to have authority one needs to submit to authority also. The Levites explaining God's word to the people gives us a clear indication of how we corporately, as a Royal priesthood, do the same with those in the world around us.
One of the key points of ordination for me is the fact that those who come forward in response to, and testing of, a call do so by first being approved by the church (local), tested by the wider Church (selection conference) and then are trained, examined and presented as workmen (and women) approved by God, man and institution and ordained. In being ordained we swear swear service to God, submission to the bishop and loyal service to the realm - all of this 'with the help of God!'
As we seek to serve God in whatever calling He has for us, might we all take learn from Ezra and Nehemiah and apply this in the ways that we serve.
1 comment:
Vic,
Thanks for this post which is quite timely. I am currently in the grip of the DDO and am following the process, which God willing, in 7 years time, might see me trained as an NSM.
I will be 67 or even 68. I have spent a life under authority - 43 years of continuous Army service. But that authority is so different from that of God and the Church.
I have learned a whole new culture just submitting to my Vicar for Lay Ministry and all that it involves.
Obedience is not an issue, I feel called to Proclaim and the church will discern whether it is genuine or just wishful thinking. Patience and hope seem to me key words at the moment.
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