A Restoration Plan

 

If a church, or an individual believer’s life has fallen into disarray, the NT tells those who are walking faithfully with the Lord to call on Him and do their part to make things right:

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1–2)

This is no easy task. Those who are spiritual cannot be judgmental or critical of those who are caught up in sin, not other persons and not even an entire church. All are tempted at times and all are vulnerable, but how can anyone restore them? Noticing the need is one thing; repairing it is the challenge, and sadly, it is easier to gossip rather than show mercy.

In reading Nehemiah today, I recall sermons where this man’s actions are similar to the battle to restore broken lives, even broken congregations. The Lord uses this to show steps that can be taken to repair small or large needs.

First, Nehemiah confessed his own sins and the sins of his people. This is vital. Then he asked God to hear his prayer and grant him success and mercy as he went for permission to do something about the damage that existed.

O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments. . . . (You said) “but if you return to me. . . . I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen. . . .” O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servants. . . . and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy. . . . (Nehemiah 1:5–11)

When he asked the king about doing this, he was granted not only to have a look but whatever he needed to do the job. But he didn’t tell anyone until he saw for himself the dire need. In other words, he didn’t listen to any talk or gossip until he had first-hand knowledge. A wise choice. Only after seeing it for himself did he speak to the leaders and others what the Lord had put on his heart. They responded and said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work." (Nehemiah 2:18)

Enlisting support was only one step. Nehemiah explained what needed to be done and how to do it, encouraging them with, “Our God will fight for us.” He gave them the plan and they went to work, each taking care of the part of the task that related to who they were and where they lived. I look at that plan and see that this leader recognized their gifts and desires and put them to work where their hearts would give them the most desire to fix the problem.

Nehemiah also realized that opposition would come, so had a plan for that too. He told the people that this would be hard work, just as Jesus tells me that serving Him in any capacity would involve sacrifice:

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

At the same time, he also encouraged them, as Jesus encourages me, with:

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

PRAY: Lord, You have put something on my heart too, a plan that could involve restoration of that which has fallen into disrepair. However, as with Nehemiah, the first step is prayer, including confession of sin (mine and others) and worship of all that You have done. This step includes keeping quiet until You grant the go-ahead, or perhaps say this is not for me. I wait on direction from You.

Playing on a team . . .

 

Our church has a team in a city-wide slo-pitch league. While scores are kept and players do their best, it is a ‘fun league’ rather than competitive. This week, the other team didn’t show up and registered a forfeit on the website. Our team didn’t see that so everyone was at the ball diamond, enough to add some spectators and make up two teams and play anyway. Most wore the same jerseys so I could not tell them apart. I’m not aware how they decided who played where but this reminded me of school days when team captains took turns and selected players. No one wanted to be the last one picked.

Everyone played, even the girlfriend of one of the regular players who had never picked up a bat before but bravely give it a try. Others were at the opposite extreme with years of experience. Skill wasn’t as important as effort, including delightful banter and some surprising, excellent plays.

This morning’s verse parallels some of that game’s elements with this team effort. First, the players were chosen.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

No one tried to pick me to play ball, but God did choose me to be His child and on His team. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:16)

Like these teams, some of us bear more fruit than others, but that is not the point. Because God picked us to ‘play’ on His team, we can do it, not to be in competition but for the joy of doing His will.

Some of the banter illustrates how Christian service works. These teams were led by two of our pastors who were also pitching the ball. At one point, one player at bat was being teased by the pastor who was pitching. Her team leader and another pastor, shouted out, “Hey, listen to him on Sunday mornings, but don’t listen to him out here!” Everyone laughed. On reflection, when serving God, I am to listen to spiritual leaders, yet they are not always with me to guide my actions or take the place of listening to God.

I know this verse is not about a ball game. The devotional writer makes it about the doctrine of election, much debated yet does anyone really understand it? Some make faith in Christ solely the prerogative of God. Others point to human responsibility to jump up to the plate.

As I understand it, God’s will somehow works in my will to motivate me so I will do what He wants me to do, and that includes hitting a homer, bunting the ball, and striking out. He uses all things together to transform me into the image of His Son (Romans 8:28-29). This is a mystery, but trusting His sovereign power yields far better results than relying on my ability to make the right choices and do the right things.

For today, I’m hearing God speak to me about teamwork and about joy in playing this game a life of serving Him according to rules yet without making it a competition. Some can hit better or run faster, but we are in this together, bound by our delight in God’s redeeming grace. I rejoice at being selected by the Lord to serve Him.

PRAY: Jesus, this is not the best analogy, yet it reminds me that I am on Your team, challenged to do my best to bring glory to You and to present Your wonderful and powerful good news to others. I’m to love my teammates, love those watching, even love those who fail to show up, and never grumble about the task at hand or the performance of others on our team. I’m not a ball player, but I am chosen by Your amazing grace and so thankful to take part in what You are doing in this world.

PONDER: the grace of God as described in Romans 5. Where would I be if God had not selected me to be on His team?