Working in harmony

I'd like to request that we all read the third chapter of Nehemiah this week. It's one of those chapters that is not easy to get through . . . lots of names. But there is some interesting stuff here: we are told the occupations of people, and we see that they are doing jobs (some of them) that they are unaccustomed to doing. We also see that there were some "snooty" people who couldn't be bothered to do their job, so others took up the slack.
Intrigued?
Take some time to read the chapter and then hop back on here, OK?
I will wait while you read . . .

Wow!
You're quick!
This chapter has a lot to say about building.
And about cooperating.
And about people.
Let's dive in!

I'd like to start with a story you may have heard -- I heard it long ago, and it stuck with me because of the vivid imagery that it conjured up in my wee little head. It's about helping each other, and it's about working in harmony.
Imagine that you are really, really hungry. Maybe you haven't eaten for several days. (That's hungry!) You have been invited to a banquet or "pot-luck" dinner, and you are being seated along with other guests just as the platters of food and large, steaming casserole dishes are being placed on the table. The smells and sights of all that delicious food are tantalizing!
But now, you discover there's an issue.
Your arms won't bend at the elbow.
This is serious!
How are you going to get the food from the plate to your mouth? Looking around, you see that everyone else is bewildered, too, because you all have the same problem!
First option . . . you COULD just lean forward and go face-first into your plate.
That's really messy.
And embarrassing.
Another option . . .the person across from you reaches down with her stiff arm, loads a fork with food, and swings it over to your mouth. You reciprocate, and soon everyone is feeding one another and enjoying the food. Lots of laughter and lots of fellowship ensue.

The preacher I was listening to said that was a picture of how God's people should function. We are all individuals, it's true. But at the same time, as believers, we are interdependent. We are many members of the body of Christ, and He wants us to learn to work together.
After all, God Himself is a Trinity. He is one God consisting of three Persons - each of which is fully God. The three are in perfect unity of being, and work together in perfect harmony. We are made in His image; God wants His people to reflect His image by working together in harmony.

Oh dear.
Sometimes that is easier said than done!
Our favorite cup bearer has something to teach us.
And that is what we will be discussing as we work our way through the third chapter of Nehemiah's book.
Hope you will join me and study along!