Rebuilding - A Concentrated Effort

It’s important to note that while it’s the disease that shall not be mentioned is what has brought on this understanding that this is a rebuilding season. It doesn’t always have to be a shutdown of our sport to bring us to an understanding that there are seasons in our life, in which require a rebuilding process. A rebuilding season should be a concentrated effort of restoration. There’s a lot of darkness surrounding this time, a lot of uncertainty. I know for one it feels like the rug has been pulled out from under me. Everything that I’ve been working toward has been thrown into a state of chaos. The industry I’ve been building my career in and the sport that I love (triathlon) has been taken away. But that doesn’t mean that I have to sit idly by, I also don’t have to grope around in the dark during this period, without form, void of structure. During this rebuilding period it’s important to identify which areas in our life need development, we need to strengthen weaknesses. Identify what areas need restoration, whether it be spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, or relationally, or my case, all of the above. 

I’ve been reminded lately of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. If you read about that in scripture you’ll see that certain peoples had their own specific concentrated area of the wall to focus on. They rebuilt the wall for fortification of the city. This is the same opportunity we have currently with our lives, both spiritually and physically during this rebuilding season. We have this opportunity to strengthen our spirits and our bodies, by focusing on those areas that need restoration, that need rebuilding, strengthening fortifying whether it be to endure Ironman distances or to withstand against the wiles of the enemy, the rulers of darkness, the spiritual forces of evil. We have this opportunity to not only identify these areas in our lives, but also to help encourage strengthen and build up others. After all the fortification of the wall was for the betterment of the entire city. They also came together as a people working together in support of one another.

 

While some of us may not be coming together in large groups as of yet, that doesn’t mean we can fortify one another on one on one basis. This is the time to do that, the time to identify who within our circle of influence may need lifting up, supporting, and strengthening. I know at least it is for me, if I were back into my work in a full time capacity, I wouldn’t have this unique opportunity to devote myself to rebuilding in these specific areas. I think it’s vitally important that as I work along side Holy Spirit in the restoration period in my life, that I also use what I’m learning to help others. This is why it’s very important we ask and identify what are some areas in my life that need restoration. Take a good inventory. Know what areas you need to strengthen and fortify to run your best race.

 

Ask yourself Are you using this time wisely for improvement, stretching yourself by thinking differently, understanding your weaknesses, knowing what needs development or are you stuck in the same old patterns and habits that In the end won’t propel you forward and build you up? Routine is good, but we want to use this time to develop a routine that will bring us out the other side of this rebuilding season, stronger, more well equipped to run the race with power and endurance.

 

Also take a look at how your rebuilding, what are you using to rebuild with? I love the picture in Nehemiah, where it explains that they built with their swords girded. Let’s rebuild with our weapon, the word of God, with us, always ready to do battle even if it’s to dispel the taunts of the enemy.

And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire. Nehemiah 2:13

 

Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Nehemiah 2:17

 

But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Col–hozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David. Nehemiah 3:15

 

Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and was filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” Nehemiah 4:1-2

 

They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. Nehemiah 4:17-18

 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

 

so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully Colossians 1:10-11

 

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Phillippians 4:13