DOING OUR JOB
Today's reading: Nehemiah 11-13

"The Levites who had returned with them were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah and Mattaniah, who with his associates was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving." Nehemiah 12:8 NLT

Just thinking...

Had I been born a male. Born a Levite. Born in this time period. Born to be a servant in the Temple in charge of thanksgiving songs.

How well would my job get done?

Because I'll be honest here, too many times I probably wouldn't choose to sing with thanksgiving in my heart.

Because of circumstances.

Because of others.

Because of feelings.

As I think of these men, their interaction with each other, their social circles, their close contact with so many others that came and went in the sanctuary and outer courts--people watched them, I'm sure. Watched them to see how they lived their lives and how their lives lived would play out in the songs of thanksgiving they wrote, composed, performed and presented.

Friend, as children of God, we're in the same boat!

Folks are watching us. All the time. During all seasons of our lives. With every bad diagnosis, poor choice, sad happening, middle-of-the-night phone call. They are watching. And whether you want to accept it or not, they are watching closely.

To see if we continue to sing praise. To hum thanks. To practice what we preach. To see if our Monday through Saturday lives measure up to what we want to look like to them on Sunday.

We are called to live out a life of redemption, salvation, hope, grace and trust. And to make our life songs mirror those truths!