The Good WorkSample

Preparing to Work

Finding your purpose is exciting. Who wouldn’t be thrilled to do work they’re passionate about for the good of God’s people?

But once the initial excitement wears off, you usually start thinking logistics. What sort of preparations will the work require? Are you equipped to do it? Do you have the time to do it? And the more you consider those questions, the more you might start to think, “Can I really do this?”

It’s at this point that a lot of people throw in the towel. The work is too big, too difficult, too intense.

Be encouraged. If God has given you work, He will give you the means to do that work.

Take a page from Nehemiah. He needed help—from no less than the King of Persia, whom he served as cupbearer. Cupbearers didn’t just ask kings for favors. Nehemiah describes himself as being “very much afraid” as he worked up the courage to speak to the king. He could have convinced himself that rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem wasn’t really the work God had in store for him. He could have walked away.

But in spite of his fear, Nehemiah spoke up. In vivid detail, he described the wall to the king— how it was in ruins and its gates were burned. He shared his heart for his people. And then he asked the king for the time and supplies he needed to rebuild the wall.

And the king—who had no stake in the well-being of Nehemiah’s people—was pleased to send Nehemiah to do this work. Through the king, God gave Nehemiah exactly what he needed.

As you read Nehemiah 2, consider the work God’s put in front of you. What do you need to accomplish it? Do any needs seem daunting? Do you find yourself wondering whether you’re equipped for the task? If so, seek God and ask Him for the help you need. And then step forward in courage, knowing that God will give you the means to do His work.

Pray: Ask God to provide everything you need to do the work He has in store for you. 

Find out more about the message series The Good Work.