So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families. I found the genealogical record of those who had been the first to return. This is what I found written there…
Nehemiah 7:5 (NIV)
Wendy has worked for our company for many years. Over the past few years, I’ve put her in charge of most of the administration of our business. Her title is Director of Operations, but I always joke that it’s really Senior Director of All the Things. When it comes to the organization of our lives, Wendy brings order to chaos in everything she does. It’s how God wired her heart and brain. The more I unleash her to do what she does well, the more everyone benefits.
In the beginning of the Great Story, there is chaos of nothingness which God carefully orders over a period of six days. It’s not haphazard. He doesn’t act willy-nilly. There is order to everything He does and how He does it. When it’s finished, He calls it good.
Later in the story, when humanity and human empire muck up the works, things descend back toward chaos. Noah’s flood, the aftermath of Babel, and the ten plagues on Egypt are all metaphorical reversals of God’s creation. Instead of order leading to holy goodness, human acts of the flesh lead back to disorder and chaos. In fact, the events described in John’s Revelation can also be seen through this same metaphorical lens.
In today’s chapter, Nehemiah follows up the restoration of Jerusalem’s walls and gates with administrative order. The project is complete, but now the walls and gates have to be manned and guarded. With the city safe from attack, the rebuilding and restoration of homes and buildings within the city walls can safely commence. There’s a ton of work to be done, and Nehemiah sets about to create an orderly administration of the work by taking stock of who he has to work with and how best to manage that work force.
Nehemiah and Wendy would have worked well together, I’m sure. Today’s chapter makes it obvious that God wired their hearts and brains in similar ways. I’m not wired the same way. I’m capable of administration and organization, but Wendy will be quick to tell you (with examples) that I’m not gifted at it. I’ve learned along this life journey that I want people using their gifts where they can have the greatest positive impact on the whole. Things are more orderly when this happens. There is less chaos.
As I embark on a new work week, I’m quietly grateful for my Senior Director of All the Things. Order is a good thing. Order is holy. I could do with more order and less chaos. And so, it’s time for me to get to my calendar and my task lists to get the plan for my day and my week in order.
If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.
