What Type Of Man Do You Want To Be?

Nehemiah 7:1-2 (NLT) After the wall was finished and I had set up the doors in the gates, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed. I gave the responsibility of governing Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, for he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.

As I picked my dad up from his house last week for open heart surgery I had to kind of chuckle to myself as I watched him tell both mom and myself what needed to be done and when. Even as he was preparing for a surgery that could be life threatening – he was still in his role of being that faithful man who took his responsibilities seriously. I was thinking about that as I was reading this passage of scripture today. As the walls of Jerusalem were being finished – the responsibility of governing this city was given to a guy named Hanani. It’s interesting – that his name means “gracious.” He wasn’t appointed with the hope that he would somehow lead the city someday. He was appointed because it was evident that these gifting were already resident in his life. “For he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.” It was evident to all who were around him that this man was a faithful servant of God. You didn’t have to guess and wonder who he was and what he did – you just knew. You observed and you saw the characteristics of God in his life. The last words my dad said to us before he went under the knife was “It’s been fun.” What? It’s been fun! Who says that unless he is a man who is completely sold out to God and lived his life just being faithful to God. Thankfully, my dad is doing well and he is recovering nicely. Yet, the lessons he has taught me over my lifetime – and even just before his heart surgery last week will live on and on. I so want these characteristics in my life. I so want to come to end of my life and be known for being faithful to God – even through difficult circumstances. I want to be known as a man who feared God more than most. With God’s help I’m going to keep my eye on the goal of “finishing well.” To God Be ALL the glory today. Amen.