Finishing What You Start
“Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’” (Luke 14:28-30)
Jesus said these words to indicate the seriousness of becoming a disciple of His. You should understand the cost and be able to finish what you start. Not only in being a disciple of Jesus, but the tasks of our lives, good tasks, can remain unfinished if we do not take steps to help us finish. In this example, Jesus said a person building a tower needs to, at the very least, know if he has enough money to complete the project. Better to not start at all and save your money than to sink everything you have into a half-built tower. So, too, the tasks of our lives require a certain amount of preparation if we desire to see them accomplished.
One of the great examples of beginning and finishing a great work in the Bible is that of Nehemiah. During his lifetime, the Israelites were allowed to return to their homeland after decades of Babylonian and Persian captivity. Nehemiah, a wine-bearer of the Persian king, had not yet returned to his ancient homeland, but had heard distressing stories that those who had returned faced hardships because the walls of Jerusalem had yet to be rebuilt. With the blessing of the king, Nehemiah traveled all the way from Susa to Jerusalem with the intention of helping his countrymen complete a necessary component to reestablishing Jerusalem and ensuring safety for its inhabitants.
Survey the problem first. The first thing Nehemiah did when he arrived in Jerusalem, even before he announced to the people what his intention was, was to survey the state of Jerusalem’s walls as they were. “I arose by night, I and a few men with me…and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.” (Nehemiah 2:12-13) This is very similar to the advice given by Jesus. Before Nehemiah announced his plan, before Nehemiah began work on the walls, he spent time examining them and assessing just how much work needed to be done. Do not jump into a big project feet first, eyes closed, like cannonball diving into a pool. Rather, evaluate, plan, and consider before embarking on your next project.
Invite people to help you. Nehemiah could not build the walls on his own. He needed the help of many people along the way. Nehemiah makes a simple invitation to the officials of Jerusalem: “Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 2:17) Nehemiah does not force the people to commit to the work, but invites them to join in the effort. Neither does Nehemiah ask people to do what he himself is unwilling to do. The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls was a concerted effort by many people.
Do not discount your own need for help in the good works you plan to accomplish in your life. In regard to your Christian walk, this means finding mentors and teachers, and engaging within the church family that God has provided you. We should all want to help each other in this life, and inviting Christians to help you in your walk with Jesus will be invaluable.
Press forward despite setbacks and challenges. There were several people who did not want the walls of Jerusalem to be rebuilt. They first mocked the Israelites, then threatened to attack them.
Because of this new challenge, Nehemiah and the people had to alter their strategy to keep moving forward. “From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail…Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built.” (Nehemiah 4:16-18) The people didn’t back down and didn’t give up. Instead, they found a way to prepare themselves for the possibility of attack while still moving forward on the main project.
Do not be discouraged by setbacks. Do not give up if this is something you know you need to do. This is especially true in your Christian walk. Discouragements and trials will come, and learning from and adapting to them while still moving forward is found in the charge to bear your cross and follow Jesus.
Be able to say “no” even to good things in order to accomplish great things. After Nehemiah’s enemies could not stop the people from building the wall, they feigned wanting to talk and make a truce (while secretly intending to kill Nehemiah). Even if Nehemiah’s enemies’ intentions were good, I believe Nehemiah’s response would’ve been the same: “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” (Nehemiah 6:3)
Sometimes, the key to accomplishing a great work is learning to say “no” to all the good works that will keep you from accomplishing your goal. I think about this statement of Nehemiah’s a lot when I am considering taking on a new project, or taking a detour in a project I’m already engaged in. Will this new thing further the great work I’m engaged in, or will it delay, impede, or even end it completely? If it doesn’t, you need to learn to turn down the good in order to accomplish the great.
Nehemiah and the people of Judah were able to finish the wall in fifty-two days when it had been lying destroyed for years. It was quite the accomplishment and was finished in part to Nehemiah’s leadership and planning. Nehemiah’s example can help us accomplish the tasks we have to do in life, as well as help us in our walk with God. May you find encouragement in Nehemiah’s example and accomplishment.
