The Work Is Never Finished

There’s a certain beauty in the process of working on a project or chore, yet it’s often in those moments of rest that we genuinely appreciate the fruits of our labor. For instance, after a day of mowing the lawn and tending to the yard, I find joy in sitting back and admiring the transformation. A profound sense of accomplishment arises from engaging in manual labor and witnessing the tangible results of my efforts. However, while my neighbors may not marvel at the mowed lawn, they undoubtedly appreciate the improved appearance and the effort I put into maintaining it. Similarly, when I finally put away my laundry, my wife may not express overt amazement, but she is undoubtedly pleased that I took care of a task that had been bothering her. The risk lies in relying solely on the fact that the work was done, assuming it will remain in order without continuous maintenance. Just as the grass and weeds will eventually overtake my yard if left unattended, and the laundry will once again pile up, so too did Nehemiah recognize that the great work of repairing the wall required ongoing reliance on God’s help to maintain its defenses. While the nature of maintenance work may differ, the truth remains that the work is never truly finished.

¹⁵ So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. ¹⁶ And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Nehemiah 6:15-16.

Despite facing numerous challenges and opposition, the remarkable completion of the Jerusalem wall in just 52 days showcases the transformative power of focused effort and unwavering perseverance. It exemplifies how determination and unwavering commitment to God’s calling can lead to extraordinary success. A similar principle applies in our own lives. When we put forth genuine effort into transforming our surroundings, such as mowing the lawn, edging the grass, removing dead plants, and replacing them with vibrant trees and bushes, we witness a beautiful transformation of our yard. God calls us to apply this same dedication and effort to carrying out the mission of transforming our communities for His glory. By investing our efforts in our community, with God’s guidance and support, we can overcome challenges and achieve lasting success, despite the setbacks we may encounter.

The wall’s completion was seen as a sign of God’s favor and protection. The Israelites recognized they could not have accomplished such a feat without divine assistance. This highlights the importance of relying on God’s strength and guidance in overcoming obstacles. Even with a great effort, my skills and abilities to fully transform the yard may be beyond my capabilities. I had a couple dead rose bushes and a tree that I needed to remove, and despite my best efforts I was unable to carry out the task, but I sought out help from someone that had the right tools and experience to help with that task. Among us we might not think we are capable of accomplishing a task; however, God asks that we call on the Almighty, and through God’s help we are more powerful and capable than we were on our own.

Due to the swift construction of the wall fear arose within Israel’s adversaries, demonstrating the Israelites’ unwavering faith and the power of God. It exemplifies how living in accordance with one’s beliefs can have a significant impact on others, inspiring awe and reverence. Likewise, in the context of maintaining a yard, one can neglect it, allowing weeds to grow and the yard to deteriorate, or they can tend to it with care as a sign of respect to those who helped improve it. Continuing to work and honoring the labor invested is the best course of action. Our way of life can either inspire and guide people toward God’s provision or create an environment of mockery and negativity in the community. God encourages us to live in a manner that leads others toward faith and love, acknowledging the blessings bestowed upon us and our communities. This necessitates ongoing efforts to bring peace and hope to those around us.

God’s work in our lives is never fully complete. The community of God requires our constant practice of reverence and awe towards the ongoing work that God is performing among us. While it may be tempting to admire the work from a distance, we must recognize that God is present and guiding us throughout the entire process. The concept of a never-ending cycle of work may seem overwhelming, but it’s crucial to remember that God’s presence is with us every step of the way, enabling us to accomplish more than we could ever imagine through our own strength and abilities. During moments of exhaustion, God invites us to find rest in Him. Our mission is right at our doorstep, within our own community. God calls us to share grace, mercy, and love while working on our own hearts to increase our capacity for love. This work is never-ending, and we must never stop sharing it with the world.