This week we’ll read the long list of individuals, families and groups that contributed to the work of rebuilding the wall and the gates around Jerusalem. Nehemiah describes exactly where everyone worked, and what they accomplished. Imagine if your local church had a list like that. Would it be helpful to see your unique contributions alongside your neighbor’s? Or, like me, would your mind immediately start making comparisons?
Oh comparison, that deadly pitfall. Where do I stack up? Am I good enough? Am I doing enough? Do you find yourself thinking this way? If you’re always playing – and losing – the comparison game, let me introduce you to Meshullam in Nehemiah 3:30.
Next to them, Meshullam son of Berekiah made repairs opposite his living quarters. – Nehemiah 3:30b
Some translations say that Meshullam made repairs in front of his dwelling. Other people in this chapter repaired the wall in front of their houses, but not Meshullam. His isn’t called a house, because Meshullam didn’t have a house. The word translated ‘living quarters,’ in our passage literally means a room or even a cell. Meshullam lived in one small room, not a house. He didn’t repair a prominent gate everyone would marvel at as they entered into the city. He worked on the wall opposite his one tiny room.
But guess what? His name is listed with as much prominence, and esteem as any other builder in the passage. He was faithful to God with his one small room, and God honored his contribution and devotion.
If Meshullam didn’t repair his own tiny section, the wall would have been ineffective. The enemy would have used that place to gain entrance to the city. The same is true for us. We might look at our gifts as insignificant compared to the gifts God has given someone else. It’s tempting to tuck our gifts away or write them off. But when we do, there are holes in the church’s witness, little spots where God’s glory could be on display but isn’t because we’re crippled by comparison.
What if we stopped looking at the kingdom of God like a zero-sum game, a place where your gifts compete with mine, and started looking at the kingdom like the holy brigade of builders in Nehemiah chapter 3? We are God’s people, called and equipped by our Father, and working shoulder to shoulder to extend the hope of the gospel. When I’m building next to you, I’m not competing with you. I’m not taking from you, and you’re not taking from me. We’re working together. My section of the wall connects to yours. We’re partners with one vision; we’re achieving one goal.
As I journey with the Lord, I find myself searching out the types of women that I’d previously been stuck comparing myself against. It’s the idea of iron sharpening iron that we see in Proverbs 27. Instead of feeling threatened by someone’s gifts, God has given me a new paradigm to see the opportunity that someone else’s gifts might call out my own. Do you have that sister in Christ that makes you want to be the best version of yourself? Maybe you’ll see her at Bible study this Thursday. Share this blog with her or send her an encouraging note.
God has given us our own work to do, our own unique contribution to the kingdom. Big or small, prominent or private, God is honored when we lay comparison aside, and strive toward unity and collaboration.
