God has a mission for your life. You may not feel that you are making much progress right now, but God is preparing you for what He’s prepared for you! Nehemiah is a great example of the process involved in pursuing a mission God has placed in your heart.

After Nehemiah learned that the city of his ancestors, Jerusalem, was in ruins and the the people afraid and vulnerable, he mourned and prayed. He felt God’s call to what seemed an impossible mission: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. For 4 months Nehemiah prayed and fasted. In his prayers he asked God to cause the King to find favor with him and be agreeable to his request for a leave. Nehemiah made a plan for travel and created a list of provisions needed for the reconstruction project. At last Nehemiah was ready to ask the King for a leave of absence to go and fulfill God’s call. All that Nehemiah had prayed became a reality–he was given a leave from his post as the King’s cupbearer, papers and passports for travel, and financial support for purchasing construction supplies.

When God places a special opportunity before you, a mission, it’s important to first pray and plan, pre-prayer-ation. During Nehemiah’s time in prayer and planning God began casting a vision and preparing him for the mission. Sometimes we are so anxious to get started that we jump out without thinking things through. Taking time to plan is key to the success of any mission. Some people say, “I just live by faith.” Of course, we all should, but faith is not an excuse for lack of preparation. God is a God of order.

After Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he didn’t immediately announce his plan. When you are called to do something, it’s important to pray and prepare and keep it low until it’s ready to go. It’s much easier to kill an idea than to kill a launch. Make sure the plan is ready to be revealed. Nehemiah, surveyed the city by night, examining all the gates and city walls. He was still doing his homework, investigating, strategizing. There were many things to consider…how tall, how wide, who will be in charge of what. When he had gathered the information needed and assessed the situation fully, he shared his vision with the people. His prayer and planning were evident to the people and his passion for God’s mission. They immediately wanted to be part of the plan and start working.

Some people announce a big plan…”I’m going to________.” You can fill in the blank. Maybe it’s lose 50 lbs, start working out, eat better, go back to school, join a Bible study, start volunteering. Many times the big announcement, which is like a New Year’s resolution, falls flat with no results because there was no prayer, no thoughtful plan.

If God lays something on your heart, and you know it’s real and genuine, pray and plan. Seek God’s guidance. And stay focused. There are a thousand things to take you off course. Many things are good, but they aren’t the mission. So, stay on the path. There will be opposition, trials, and detours, but God makes a way even when it seems impossible; it’s possible!

Scriptures – Matthew 19:26 (NLT); Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV), Nehemiah 2:5 (NLT), Nehemiah 2:8, 12 (NIV), Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NLT) 

Verses – “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” (Mt 19:26)

Questions – Are you on a mission, working toward something? If so, explain. When did you start? How is your progress? What missions have you completed? Explain. Are you open to God’s call to a new mission? Are you willing to sacrifice whatever is needed to be used by God? How do you know if God is really calling you do something?

Prayer – Dear Lord, I know that good works should be my goal because of my love for You and faith in You. Keep my heart open to whatever you call me to do and help me to lay down my selfish desires. I want to always choose You above all else. Thank you for loving me and choosing me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.