"When The Dust Of This World Clears"

Brad and I started a Bible study tonight walking through the book of Nehemiah.  That is not a book I read from very often, but I found this first night extremely insightful and am excited about the rest.  Nehemiah's reaction when he finds out the walls of Jerusalem are broken down and the gates are burned is such a powerful beginning to this book and to teach us to put the Will of God above our own happiness.  He was actually living in luxury as the King's cup-bearer at that time....eating choice foods and drinking the King's best wines....YET HIS GOD AND THE FUTURE OF HIS PEOPLE WERE MORE IMPORTANT TO HIM THAN THIS LIFESTYLE.  So much so, that he was willing to give it all up for the purpose of rebuilding for the Lord.

When we live in comfort and the pursuit of happiness, we can tend to start associating our pleasures to our own efforts to achieve them as if we deserve them....."I must have done A, B, and C right to have what I have..." Even though I do think God rewards our obedience and faithfulness, I still think this is the wrong mentality.  The leader of our study said something I thought was profound and I am turning it over in my mind so it can take full effect.  He said when we start taking ownership for our blessings, we start making compassion impossible.  I think that is true....we start looking at others and judging them...."if only they would have done A, B and C....they wouldn't be in this mess".....maybe that is true....BUT, what is good about me?  What causes me to choose wisely when I do?  What, in turn (or absolutely not associated with my actions, thoughts or motivations), blesses my life with goodness?.....ON ALL ACCOUNTS, GOD....only GOD.  If we really could see that GOD is the only good within us...would that increase our compassion?  I think it would.

The Only Thing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DZ7YWJvRLw