Now I was...

The other day I was reading through Nehemiah 1. If you know me, you know I love the story of Nehemiah. It is such an authentic 1st person look at a simple man of God with a desire to do something big. As I was reading through his opening prayer for Jerusalem's restoration, I was unusually gripped by his final sentence in that 1st chapter. He writes, "Now I was cupbearer to the king (1:11)". It isn't something I have never read before. In fact, it seems pretty mundane at first. It is a simple sentence without any grammatical or literary brilliance. But as I read Nehemiah's words that night in my living room after my wife had gone to bed, I imagined him putting those final inscriptions on paper. I can see him huddled in a tent in Jerusalem on a late night, making record of his journey and a sly grin creeping across his face.

Nehemiah isn't just making the statement for informational reasons. The guy is bragging! He isn't doing it pridefully but as a man who is scheming. This political figure has realized his position in the world and the unique opportunity that lies before him. As cupbearer, his very existence depends on the success of his career. His job description includes tasting the wine for poison before serving it. He selects only the best while living as an example for the other palace servants. But more than that, Nehemiah has the ear of his king! His opinion is one of the few that matters to the man on the throne. He is showered with opportunity and comfort every morning that he reports for duty.

With this position, Nehemiah is one of the most powerful men in Persia. More than anyone else in his generation, Nehemiah has the resources to restore the walls of Jerusalem, to affect political change and spiritual restoration in Judah. He is God's man and knows exactly what he is there for!

How can God use your opportunities and talents to further his plans? Just imagine it.
I am quarterback of my high school football team.
I am president of our local PTA.
I am director of operations at my company.

Maybe your position in life is less glamorous.
I am president of the math club.
I am the neighbor of that weird family with Christmas lights up in July.
I am the office janitor.

Either way, God has placed you in your position for a reason. He has given you the opportunities, responsibilities, and giftings you currently possess to fulfill his plans where no one else can. Like no other time in history, the Church is in position to do something amazing. We must all stand up. Are you ready?

New Website and an Upcoming Date

When the seasons update faster than your blog, you know you're either in Texas or you're not on it enough. In this case, both are true. But now there is quite a bit going on!

I just posted the new gravityministries.org and our new facebook fan page! It is a new way for me to keep you posted about our ministry and give you something to read on your news feed other than your best friend's complicated relationship.

I am getting all of this ready because we anticipate God doing some great things in the coming months. At this point, I have no idea what that may be or what it even looks like. For now, I feel that we must be ready even if it seems that we are out of season.

Holly and I appreciate your prayers in these coming weeks. We are getting ready for a D-Now with Stephen Watson and his students at Oak Grove Baptist Church, just outside of Kansas City! We will be going through an in-depth study on Nehemiah and God's restoring on the people of Judah. I am writing the small group curriculum in addition to the preaching. Pray that God will speak through me, that He will already begin working in the hearts of these students, and that all will go well as they plan for this event.

www.gravityministries.org