Each Friday a group of women flow to the blog of Lisa-Jo Baker to receive a specific writing prompt.
The prompt is just one word. A word to spark an idea in our heads. At the start of a timer we have no more than five minutes to string together an array of words – bursting forth from the corners of our minds. It’s a lesson that teaches us to let go of perfection and embrace the idea of writing. No editing. Just raw words to step across the pages of our blogs and out into the streets of a virtual world to be shared with others.
And that is Five Minute Friday.
This week, the prompt is “Hands” and you’ll find it here. So link up and join the fun!
Start.
Hands
There’s a passage of scripture from the book of Nehemiah that has intrigued me for quite some time. Sanballat and his sidekicks are relentlessly attempting to tear down the good work of rebuilding the wall by removing God’s foreman on the job. However, Nehemiah exhibits such determination and perseverance that he refuses to be removed from his position God has tasked him to do. No matter how hard Sanballat tries to undo the work of Nehemiah’s hands he is unable to bring success to his opposition.
Nehemiah prays “Now strengthen my hands.”
Is it me or does anyone else get goosebumps during this passage of scripture?
Just as the enemy used others to try and disrupt the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, so he similarly places others around me to stand in the way of my own efforts of building God’s kingdom here on earth.
I get angry. My first inclination is to become defensive and use my anger to hurl insults at those who try to criticize and tear down my confidence. Yet I have to take a leaf out of Nehemiah’s book. Literally. When I feel the weight of the enemy upon my shoulders I know that I’m heading in the right direction. I know that I’m making him nervous as I draw closer to the will and the ways of the One whose hands are strengthening mine.
My confidence becomes stronger and I confidently say to Him – “Yes, Lord. Now strengthen my hands…”
Stop.
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See? Now wasn’t that fun? Tell me about “hands” in the comments below – or link up at Lisa-Jo’s blog.
I love this- “When I feel the weight of the enemy upon my shoulders I know that I’m heading in the right direction. I know that I’m making him nervous as I draw closer to the will and the ways of the One whose hands are strengthening mine.” Awesome writing, and all in 5 minutes!
Thank you, Beth! Sometimes I have to say to myself “the less I think, the better I write.” Odd how that works… 😉
Thanks, Beth! When Lisa-Jo posted her prompt I was excited. I knew exactly what I wanted to write about.
wow, impressive truths!
Thank you, Hope!
Visiting from fmf and wow! I have always loved that verse in Nehemiah too! Yes Lord, strengthen our hands!
Hi, Karrilee – good to see you. Loved your post today!
“When I feel the weight of the enemy upon my shoulders I know that I’m heading in the right direction. I know that I’m making him nervous as I draw closer to the will and the ways of the One whose hands are strengthening mine.”
Oh if I could remember this and hold tight to it! Gonna have to read a bit of Nehemiah today I think 😉
Thank you for reading! 😉
I am not very familiar with Nehemiah so I appreciated this post. I’m a somewhat new Christian and still much to read. Thanks for leading me to spend some time there. Thank you for your visit at my place too. Blessings.
I’m so glad you liked it. Nehemiah is a book that has opened my eyes to many things!