Challenged To The Core - Del Brixey

Have you ever had a good biscuit? Not one of those cardboard cut outs from a can or an imitation whipped together from powder in a box, but a “real-life” melt in your mouth biscuit that doesn’t even need butter or jam to improve the taste. Real-life biscuits are hard to come by and almost impossible to turn down. However, “biscuits don’t leave fingerprints”. You may find a few crumbs, a grease spot on the countertop or perhaps even a smidge of flour on the face of the biscuit lover. But biscuits don’t have the ability to leave “fingerprints” on our lives like real-life heroes. This week our church lost a “real-life” hero who has touched the hearts and lives of countless people. His fingerprints are on the lives of people far and wide. I think that Pete would actually be embarrassed by all of the fuss over him, but pleased that his memorial celebration will allow so many to reflect on God’s place in their own life. As you “check your pulse” this week, contemplate the “fingerprints” that you are leaving with your life. Then let God guide your “STEP”s.

Start - “I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.” Nehemiah 2:18

When God gave Nehemiah his “call” to rebuild Jerusalem he “started” a journey that impacted a whole generation of people. He began to place his “fingerprints” on the lives of real people, facing real problems, who needed real solutions; solutions that required someone like Nehemiah to lead them to accomplish. Could God have used someone else? Of course, but look at the blessings that “someone” else would have received. God has a goal for our lives. He wants us to “fingerprint” those around us for His glory. Let’s “start” building or rebuilding what God has created for us to do.

Target - “O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man." Nehemiah 1:11

Scripture says that Nehemiah “mourned and fasted and prayed” for several days before he mouthed this request to God. During that time God helped him to “target” what he needed to do. It wasn’t just the “project” but specific “steps” of the project. Nehemiah needed help from people that God had placed in his life; people waiting for Nehemiah’s “fingerprint” in their life. These were also people who were not following God. What a witness! Don’t be afraid to “target” specific steps in your life, even if they seem impossible. If God is leading you, He will also prepare the way.

Eternal - “I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.” Nehemiah 2:11

God does not send us out to leave “fingerprints” like contestants on a TV reality show. It’s a mission with “eternal” consequences. Nehemiah was on a mission that would literally change the lives of those who were around him. They were being asked to put their lives on the line to join him. It was a dangerous proposition. Families put their shoulders together, neighbors put their differences aside and little by little the wall was completed. Nehemiah’s mission was more than a wall; it was energizing a defeated people. He brought them together by building a wall.

Possibilities - “Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt. So my God put it into my heart to…” Nehemiah 7:4-5

When the “wall” was completed, God was not through with Nehemiah. Nehemiah began to look around and he noticed that the whole city was in ruins. “So God put it” in his heart to…start the next work in his life. God is never through with us. If we accomplish a particular goal, God will show us the next “possibility” to “fingerprint”. When our children grow up, when a spouse dies, when we retire, when…whatever “ends” in our life, God is waiting with more new beginnings.

Are you making “biscuits” with your life? While biscuits may impress people or be the latest fad that attracts crowds of people; they don’t leave “fingerprints”. Take a moment to thank God for the “Pete’s” and the “Nehemiah’s” that have touched your life. Then consider what “step” God wants you to take this week. Perhaps you will need to “mourn, fast and pray” for God to show you how to start targeting the eternal possibilities.