In the book of Nehemiah, we learn how the walls of the city of Jerusalem were re-built as a result of a man answering God's call. Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians and the people led off into slavery. After 70 years, the first small group of Jewish believers returned to a city lying in ruins with their temple destroyed. Without a leader, the people lived like this for years. But God wanted to restore his people and had a man in mind for the job. His name was Nehemiah and this is his story.
Nehemiah was living in Persia and serving as cupbearer to the King. In other words, he was a common man doing a common job, but living a great life. That is - until his family returned from Jerusalem and told him how bad things were back home. The people were broken and lost. This impacted Nehemiah and when he heard this he prayed and cried out to God.
Nehemiah was a determined man, so God gave him a vision of Jerusalem. Nehemiah followed the vision, returned to the city, and worked with his Jewish brothers to re-build the walls of the city. And did it all in 52 days. Why? Because Nehemiah saw what no one else saw - the walls back up and his people worshipping in the temple. What vision, what courage, what perseverance, and what influence.
In Celebrate Recovery we have a vision of how lives can be restored to what God intended us to be. For us to accomplish that vision, we have to have focused on our 12 Steps and 8 Recovery Principles. But there is also something else we need to focus on and keep us moving forward: Let's try the five P's:
1. Prayer - all good things start this way. Start now, pray with you Accountability partner or Sponsor.
2. Process the vision - think out of where God is leading you in your recovery. See the healing begin.
3. Personalize it - that means get take serious your recovery.
4. Pursue it - hard work pays off, and true recovery is not easy.
5. Persevere- no matter what, stay focused on the goal.
In the last few chapters of the book, Nehemiah does not sit still. He continued to work for God, and eventually the nation was led to repentance. We as a people need to emulate Nehemiah both personally and corporately. Focus on the vision of our recovery and work with Christ and others to succeed in it.
In Christ,
Jerry McGuire
