"...Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire" (Nehemiah 1:3).
We are living in an age where people are in great trouble and disgrace. The crime rate, economic uncertainty, life decision, it seems that the average person is under siege. Does anyone care?
Do we care about others? Or has our Christianity been all about our own blessings and self aggrandizement? The spirit of selfishness has permeated the body of Christ where just as long as I am blessed then life is good. Jesus commanded that, "we love our neighbor as ourselves." That of course raises the proverbial question, who is our neighbor? Our neighbor is everyone. We are inseparably related to everyone in a relationship of oneness.
Nehemiah cared not just about his personal situation. He was in Babylon working in the court with the King. His life was good, but life cannot be exceptional unless we are concerned about others and help bring blessing and transformation to their lives.
This was Nehemiah's position. His concern moved him to "fasting and praying" as he interceded for the people of his homeland and faith.
We cannot rebuild, restore and renew our lives unless we are concerned about others. The more that I invest in others, I invest in myself. We have to look beyond our own narrow concerns to bless others because we are neighbors and thus by doing we create an atmosphere of blessing.
On this Fourth of July Weekend, let us be clear, we are not free unless everyone is free.
During this series of Rebuilding, Restoring and Renewing,my prayer is that we help bring transformation not only in our own lives, but in the lives of others. We can transform life as we know it!
Living with Faith and Power and Creating a Phenomenal Life!
Bishop Keith Russell Lee
Hoffman Estates,IL and Los Angeles, CA
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