Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates) …
- Nehemiah 6:1
 
We’re starting a new series this week: Crazy Busy 2, the sequel to a series we did three years ago.  We’re going to be talking about why busy-ness is a problem and how we get to a place of healthier pace in our lives in order to attend to the things that matter most.
 
Nehemiah had embarked on the project of a lifetime: rebuilding the broken-down walls of Jerusalem. This project required him to gather resources, gain governmental permission, and motivate a team to get the job done. It was too big to do all by himself.
 
Nehemiah’s great work would make a difference for generations. A Jerusalem with walls would stand firm against the greedy whims of raiders and political opportunists. The city would have her pride back. The people of God could return in a new, fresh, and meaningful way to the place God had promised them.
 
This week we’re going to be looking at the story of Nehemiah’s great work and reflecting on the great work that God’s given each of us to do in this season of our lives.
 
Your great work probably won’t have much to do with construction. It may be your work as a parent or a small group leader. It may be your work at your job or in some community organization. Whatever it is, we know a few things that every great work has in common.
 
You can’t pursue your great work all on your own. Distraction will tempt you to abandon your great work. Your great work will be opposed. God will use your great work to form and shape your character. Your great work will require persistence.
 
When we live crazy busy lives, we miss out on the great work God’s given us to do.
 
What do you think about the possibility that God might give you a great work to do? How does that make you feel?