
What we prioritise in our lives is expressed through our practical living.
This means our vision needs to move from our hearts and toward our hands where we can work toward achieving measurable goals.
Nehemiah’s vision of a secure and thriving community was expressed through his practical act of rebuilding the city walls together with God’s people. So, how can we express the priority of building a people who belong in a practical way?
By building a space in which God can work with us so that we become a more connected community of people who belong, just as the restored walls of Jerusalem created a safe space in which the Israelites could belong and thrive for generations.

This is our wall of Jerusalem to rebuild in this season of our journey together, and it will involve partnering in the work together with our time, talents and treasure.
In Philippians 1:3-8 (AMP) Paul the apostle thanks the church for their “participation and partnership [both your comforting fellowship and gracious contributions] in [advancing] the good news”
The word partnership here is a Greek word, koinonia, often translated ‘fellowship’. It means a sharing in something, participating in something divine and eternal.
This partnership could be seen through the way the Israelites rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem together.
Nehemiah 3:1-4 (NIV) describes people partnering when,
- Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate.
- The men of Jericho built the adjoining section,
- Zakkur son of Imri built next to them.
- The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah.
- Meremoth, repaired the next section.
- Next to him Meshullam, made repairs, and next to him
- Zadok also made repairs.
If you and I were to partner in building together, what next step could I take? The answer is: bring your brick! That’s how the Israelites did it in alignment with their vision.
Like Eliashib, Hananel and Zadok each contributed to rebuilding the walls as we read earlier in Nehemiah 3, so too you and I bring our brick to contribute to building the space God has given us a vision for. And that brick is represented by your financial contribution over and above your tithe toward achieving the total sum of R300 000 to complete the work.
My prayer response:
Ask God to guide you in preparing your contribution toward building the walls as a partner in Southside Church.
Pray for our miracle offering services on Sunday the 4th of May and Gods provision of more than we could ask or imagine in resources.
Acknowledge that all provision comes from God and surrender your trust to Him for the areas in your life in which you need provision.
My daily practice:
Adopt an attitude of gratitude.
As you go through your day recognize the many blessings Gods given you that you may usually overlook. Think about your job, or your health.
As you come to the end of your day pray back to God with gratitude for the many blessings you recognized he bestows upon your life.
Gratitude makes what we have enough and helps us see Gods provision in our personal lives. “I am blessed to be a blessing.” (Genesis.12:2)
Because I am blessed, I can bring my brick in being a blessing to others.