By Pastor Ronald Bernier, Master Builder Ministries, Fall River, MA
Nehemiah said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant had found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it” (Nehemiah 2:5).
“ When we cry to God over what breaks our hearts, He will make clear what He is calling us to do in the city. He wants to use us to empower people to ‘Rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; ...renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations’(Isaiah 61:4)’.
Out of such a willingness to open your life to the pain you feel about the city . . . God will lead you to honestly appraise your situation and look for new opportunities. . . You will be enabled to take the risky step of faith that takes you from reflection and quiet nurturing of pain to the action needed to deal with the issue.
It is terribly important, however, that you not rush the incubation of pain. It is important that you take your time in perceiving and understanding God’s call to do ministry in a new way in the city. Rushing the incubation will only bring a premature effort, a ministry not sufficiently grounded in God’s struggle with you, which will provide the depth necessary for a sustaining work of empowerment and liberation.
It has well be said that prayer is not getting man’s will done in heaven but getting God’s will done on earth. However, for God’s will to be done on earth, He needs people to be available for Him to use.” - quoted from “Rise Up and Build: Transforming Principles in the Life and Ministry of Nehemiah” published in 2004
These words were penned 15 years ago and are still fresh in my spirit. I believe the incubation period is complete. The prayer is renewed. If it pleases You Lord, and Your servant has found favor in Your sight, I ask You to send me, along with all who will be joined to this effort, to the city of my fathers, to rebuild it! Amen.