We have come to hold what I believe to be a mistaken image of how things are really accomplished in the real world. We somehow focus our attention just on the star of the event while holding little or no regard for those in the supporting cast. This is not much different from knowing what it takes to make the Church live its life.

There is no clearer picture of the true cast of characters in a venture of any magnitude than that found in Nehemiah 4.15-18: ‘When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work.’ God provides the atmosphere for victory over any circumstance if we are committed to his way of doing things.

Nehemiah had the responsibility of rebuilding the City of Jerusalem after its total destruction. Suffice it to say there were those who did not want that effort to succeed, as he continues: ‘From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor.’

Everyone had a task to do, and only when everyone was committed to that task was victory possible: ‘The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall.’ Even those who protected the workers were a vital part of the fighting force—but not everyone was on the front line.

Nehemiah concludes: ‘Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.’ What is your assigned task for the building of the Church? Do not for a moment think you have nothing to do—it cannot be done successfully without your commitment!