By Steve Backlund

Those who read this blog will: 

• Gain insight into what their life’s calling might be
• Understand that resources follow quality decisions, not the other way around 
• Recognize the Book of Nehemiah is an important book in this hour

I love the book of Nehemiah. It is the story of a man (Nehemiah) who had a “secular” job (the king’s cupbearer), but he became consumed with a cause (a need), and thus changed the course of history. 

Here is the powerful sequence of events in Nehemiah’s story: 

• He wept when he heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down (Nehemiah 1:4).
• He connected with God and reminded Him of His promises (1:5-11).
• He took a risk in sharing with the king his desire to rebuild the walls (2:1-6).
• He boldly asked for resources to rebuild the wall and was provided with great provisions to accomplish his assignment (2:7-8).
• He inspired people with the cause and tenaciously overcame challenges to see it completed in a very short period of time (chapters 3 to 7). 

I frequently recommend Nehemiah chapters one to six for people who are ready to build something for God and move forward. These chapters inspire us to be passionate, strategic, and inspirational for what God has called us to do. 

I am often asked, “Steve, how do I know what my purpose or calling is?” I tell people who ask me this to ask themselves these questions to gain insight:

• What problem or need makes me cry?
• What problem or need makes me angry?
• What problem or need causes me to say, “How come so few people care about this? Why doesn’t the church focus more on that?”
• What makes me come alive when I talk about it?
• What makes others come alive when I talk about it?

The answers to these questions are great indicators of what you are called to do, what your assignment is, and potentially what your life purpose is about. We will not answer these questions the same. Nehemiah was consumed by the need for the walls to be rebuilt, but you might be burning to fix problems like: 

• Family dysfunction
• Fatherlessness
• Self-hatred
• Addictions
• Sex trafficking
• Abortion
• Political division
• Fatherlessness
• Racism
• Poverty
• A lack of beauty in neighborhoods
• Abuse
• Crime
• Litter 

The possibilities are almost endless.

I have become consumed with restoring the walls of hope and joy in lives, families, ministries, and nations (especially with leaders). With very few natural resources, I said, “I am going to become a solution for that. I am going to advance the kingdom in lives through emphasizing and imparting joy and hope.” The resources needed (people, finances, ideas, skills, etc.) primarily came AFTER I decided to make a difference. 

Decide and He will provide. All of heaven gets behind quality decisions. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) Many are waiting to decide after they have the provision. This is backward thinking. If Nehemiah would have done this, the walls would not have been rebuilt. 

So what unfinished, unattended to, or ruined thing moves your heart? Why don’t you connect your heart to God about this and declare right now, “I am going to do something about that!” You are going to make a bigger difference than you know. 

As I close, I want to emphasize a few things:

• Sometimes it is not clear to us what the one thing is for us to make a difference. This could be because God is building a foundation in us for greater influence ahead (e.g. deepening our connection with Him, strengthening our load-bearing capacity, developing our people and leadership skills, etc.). It is often important to not narrow our focus too soon so that we will have varied experiences to help us with the greater influence ahead. 
• It is often a good idea to serve someone else who has the same passion as we do before leading on our own. “And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” (Luke 16:11). As we serve others, we will learn valuable lessons for what is ahead in our lives. 
• It is best to be “sent” by a trusted spiritual father or mother into our calling. Nehemiah had the endorsement of the king which increased Nehemiah’s credibility. Sometimes being sent in this way is not always possible for a variety of factors. At the very least, we will want to set up good accountability regarding finances and aspects of our character. People with big passion to change things, but are without strong integrity, will cause pain and won’t last long. 
• Don’t wait to do something big to have great faith, but attach great faith to the seemingly small things you are doing now. As you attach faith to varied passions and needs around you, it will be a blessing to many, it will build your faithfulness “muscle”, and will help you get even greater clarity on what you are truly called to do.