To relax I am one of those who likes to do handiwork. Such is in helping to build Habitat Houses or doing some house repairs such as dry wall repair, painting, and minor plumbing work. On a humorous side, I gave some help to a gentleman in the rough-in work of a three-car garage with an upstairs apartment and when it came to the finishing work, he said with a humorous seriousness, 'Stay away'!
There are times in Scripture when the people of God are about building and repairs. Such is in Nehemiah 3. The setting is after Babylon had invaded Jerusalem destroying it. So the people of God started rebuilding their city.
A phrase that is repetitive in this rebuilding story is "next to them" stating that next to them were others who were working as well. Together, they rebuilt, repaired, set up, covered, and restored. I like that word ... restored. Now admittedly, there were some people that refused to work on the restoration. But isn't that always the way restoration occurs?
In those moments when I feel as if I am working alone I strive to recall biblical scenes like this where "next to them" were countless others working with the goodness of God as well.
"So we ... we ... we rebuilt the wall" (Nehemiah 4:6)
And, of course, a vital part of that "we" is God. When you feel like you are working alone, take time to observe and see. If nothing else is in the midst of your work there is God.
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