rebuilding

aaron and i are reading Nehemiah right now. it's interesting to read about Jerusalem being rebuilt as New Orleans, specifically Chalmette for us, is being rebuilt. after the wall around the city was rebuilt, the homes still needed rebuilding. hmm... well, our town and parish doesn't have a wall, but we do have a sheriff force unlike any other i've seen and only a few ways into our parish. there has only been one murder in st. bernard parish since hurricane katrina. it's the safest parish in the metro area. but, there is still destruction everywhere! homes still sitting empty, some still not gutted, waiting to be demolished most likely.

anyway, the israelites gathered to worship God after the wall was complete. it is a different group of people than those who grumbled after being freed from captivity. they read the Torah and wept at its words. they recognized how Yahwah had performed a miracle--protecting them and equipping them to rebuild the walls of jerusalem in only 52 days while other nations plotted against them! their lives were being changed.

after we had helped families with their home, gutting or rebuilding it, they too recognized God's hand blessing them. the city in general has recognized that it is the Church that has helped the most after Katrina. but will they turn to worship God? i realize that we have a great responsibility and privelage to teach them God's word now. God doesn't only want to rebuild their homes, but their lives. God has rebuilt all our lives through the power of Christ! i think about how my life is different. in my sin, in the darkest of times, i turn to Christ and their is life, hope. i want for the people of Chalmette, for New Orleans, for all the world, to know Christ.