Real Hope: Nehemiah - Building CommunitySample

Inspired With a Common Purpose

Reading the book of Nehemiah reminds me of the importance of working together for a purpose that’s bigger than ourselves as we seek to build community.

Nehemiah called all the people to the task of rebuilding once the resources had arrived and a plan was in place. As you read on in the book, you discover that everyone came out of their homes – priests, men, women, and families. They worked shoulder to shoulder with a common purpose.

Phil and I have had the privilege of working to help those who are less fortunate in our world build their first homes. We have stood working shoulder to shoulder with families as we have built a safe home that will remove their vulnerability of homelessness.

We did the bit we could do with the resources we had, and over the years, we’ve seen so much more happen. People with other skills and resources have helped these families develop income skills and provide access to education for their children. Medical needs have been met, and sustainable communities have been established.

We can apply the story of Nehemiah literally to the idea of building, and we can also think of the metaphor that rebuilding can have in other ways within our communities. The fragmented areas in our neighborhood may be more around help needed in the face of natural disasters or even support for those struggling with mental health issues. The principle is the same – we are all invited into building communities of hope, trust, and faith.

Written by KATH HENRY