A lot of people are just going through the motions in life. They smile, go to work, go to church, but on the inside they’re not committed. They do things because they have to, or because it’s expected of them, and not because they want to. Have you ever read the story of Nehemiah? He risked everything in order to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Even though he faced threats and obstacles, the wall was rebuilt in 52 days, because ‘the people worked with all their heart.’ They caught Nehemiah’s vision, and wholeheartedly worked to see it completed. They became united in their cause and were determined to see the project through to the end. Different people in the community helped to build different parts of the wall. You can read the full story in Nehemiah 1-6. God wants us to catch His vision and give Him our whole heart, too. He wants us to be passionate and on fire for Him. He wants us to love Him above everything else. The Bible says: ‘What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul’ (Deuteronomy 10:12 NIV). That shows He wants our whole heart. Not just the parts we have left over – all of it. He wants us to be fully committed to Him. The Bible tells us that Caleb was the kind of person who served God like that. ‘My servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly’ (Numbers 14:24 NIV). Can God say the same about us? Do we follow Him wholeheartedly?

What Now?

Read the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall (Nehemiah 1-6). Then ask God to help you follow Him, and His plans, with your whole heart.