I'm taking some time reading through the book of Nehemiah. It's a story I've heard and studied previously, but none the less I am still blown away. I'm two chapters in right now. For those who don't know, the book of Nehemiah is written by Nehemiah and it reads like it is his own personal journal or diary.
When the book starts Nehemiah has a pretty responsible position in the Persian government and his heart aches for his city Jerusalem. Jerusalem had been destroyed about 140 years earlier. When he hears how the walls of Jerusalem are in ruins and that the people who are there are really struggling he breaks down and weeps for the city.
How many of us that love Jesus have that kind of passion about our city. Do we weep over our cities? I've heard a lot of 'Christians' talk about our world with the "it's on it's way to hell in a hand basket" kind of approach, but they don't care and they don't do anything about it besides complain. Nehemiah broke down and wept for his city, then he responded by praying and fasting and asking God to give him the means and put him in a position to do something about it.
So how much do you care for your city? My heart breaks for the students that are in the Quad Cities area where I am an youth minister. I pray that God uses me here and that I would be faithful to trust God and do what he tells me.
Mark Driscoll is a pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, which is one of the least church cities in the country. He grew up there not following Jesus, was introduced to Jesus and fell in love with him. In his 20's he started a church because he loved Jesus and he loved his city. And now their church is making a difference in Seattle because they are missionaries to the city that they love and live in.
Sometimes, I can lack compassion and initiative. Not to the point of not caring at all or being totally lazy, but enough to limit myself when something needs to be done. My prayer is that God would let compassion and love for my city overflow from me and that I would have the initiative to respond to God by serving the city and making a difference. I truly love the city and I want the people in the city to know Jesus.
Maybe we should all take some time and weep over our cities and then respond by letting God radically work through us to touch the lives of the people in our cities.
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