{"id":3337,"date":"2016-02-28T09:00:48","date_gmt":"2016-02-28T15:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.barbdahlgren.com\/?p=3337"},"modified":"2016-02-17T20:26:03","modified_gmt":"2016-02-18T02:26:03","slug":"choose-to-partner-with-others","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/?p=3337","title":{"rendered":"Choose to Partner with Others"},"content":{"rendered":"

Another Year of Choices<\/em><\/p>\n

By Barbara Dahlgren<\/em>\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Partnership\"<\/a>In our last blog we discussed the importance of doing our part by participating in what God is doing.\u00a0 Sometimes our part can mean partnering with others doing God\u2019s work.\u00a0 \u201cPartner\u201d is defined as one who takes part in an undertaking with others.\u00a0 We don\u2019t always need some new idea.\u00a0 We don\u2019t always have to be the one in charge.\u00a0 There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with others who are headed in the right direction.<\/p>\n

The example of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem comes to mind.\u00a0 While living in Persia, Nehemiah heard about the plight of his fellow Jews who had been allowed to return to Jerusalem after years of captivity.\u00a0 Nehemiah felt God calling him back to his homeland to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.\u00a0 When he got there the city was in ruins.\u00a0 It would be a daunting task to get everyone on board to rebuild.\u00a0 So first he enlisted the help of the leadership \u2013 then others.<\/p>\n

Now usually when we see a list of names in the Bible we skip over them.\u00a0 But if we read Nehemiah 3 carefully, we see rulers, priests, nobles, and officials working alongside all the merchants, farmers, and laymen.\u00a0 Notice the many times the phrase \u201cnext to him\u201d is used.\u00a0 Everyone, regardless of rank or status, was working together, doing the hard labor to get the job done.\u00a0 People came from other cities and even the women were working with them.\u00a0 (Nehemiah 3:12) There may have been craftsmen for certain jobs but many learned how to do things as they went along.\u00a0 Others probably picked up the stones, kept tools sharpened, brought the lunch, or passed out drinks of water, but they all did their small part, working together, to rebuild the wall. (Nehemiah 4:6)<\/p>\n

Sure there were some who chose to stand on the sidelines, cause problems, and \u201cnay-say\u201d about what was going on.\u00a0 Such was the case when Ezra was rebuilding the temple as well.<\/p>\n

Here again we have many working together to get this job done.\u00a0 Specialized skills were needed by masons and carpenters.\u00a0 Those who did not have such skills contributed by providing \u201cmeat, and drink, and oil.\u201d\u00a0 (Ezra 3:7) Others gave \u201cfreewill offerings\u201d to support the project. (Ezra 2:68) In other words, it was the work of all the people \u2013 partnering together and contributing in one way or another.<\/p>\n

However, rebuilding the temple was a slow process with many setbacks. \u00a0Opponents tried to squelch the efforts.\u00a0 Some old-timers lamented that the size and grandeur of this temple would never equal the first. (Haggai 2:3) Workers were getting discouraged and thought, \u201cWhat\u2019s the use?\u201d\u00a0 What they were doing seemed pitiful and small. But God had a different perspective.\u00a0 He encouraged them to take heart and assured them the temple would be completed.\u00a0 Then He asked a rhetorical question containing a life lesson for all of us.\u00a0 \u201cFor who has despised the day of small things?\u201d (Zechariah 4:10) In the eyes of the people this work may have seemed pitiful and small, yet it was God\u2019s work all the same.<\/p>\n

\"Helen<\/a><\/p>\n

Consider this\u2026 Sometimes what we are doing may seem insignificant and small \u2013 but not in God\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 The important thing is to be a part of what He has going on.\u00a0 Why not participate or partner with those who are doing God\u2019s work?\u00a0 Those sitting on the sidelines are tempted to criticize and lose out on God\u2019s blessings!<\/p>\n

Suggestions for practicing this choice\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n