Defeated or Decisive?
You can learn a lot about someone by observing how they work. Here are two real-life scenarios in New York City.
Scenario #1: A young man works security at a popular midtown attraction. His task? Check every visitor’s bag to keep the place safe. However, he only inspects one bag per person. When a woman approached with a purse and two shopping bags, he checked just one and waved her through, saying, “They don’t pay me enough to check three bags, so go on in.” He did this with everyone, chuckling throughout his shift. He was doing the bare minimum. How long do you think he’ll keep that job?
Scenario #2: A female train conductor on the “A” train greets station workers and passengers with warmth and friendliness at every stop. Even on rotating shifts and through challenging conditions like late-night, underground routes, she maintains a cheerful demeanor. If issues arise, she handles them efficiently, always with a smile. When asked how she stays so positive, she humbly shares, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Her perspective transforms her work into a higher calling.
Centuries ago, Nehemiah faced a situation similar to the security guard and conductor. He had to decide how he would handle a circumstance that could go either way at any moment—and he had to motivate and activate a broken and defeated people. Under his leadership, his people accomplished a great victory even in the midst of their enemies. With God’s help, they did it and started regaining hope. But when an official read the law of Moses as part of their celebration, the people began to bitterly weep. Perhaps they saw how far they were from where God really wanted them to be. Beaten down people are fragile.
Nehemiah immediately stepped in and convinced them to stop weeping and to reframe the way they were looking at their situation. He said, “do not mourn or weep…Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 9b-10).
Nehemiah did not change the situation the people we weeping over, but he led them to change the way they were approaching that situation. He reminded them that they were living for God, and God considered it a great and “holy” day. Just like Nehemiah, we choose our approach to life’s circumstances. We can either complain about “too many bags” or embrace life’s “tunnels” with determination. The joy of the Lord is about letting God’s presence shine through us, affecting everything we do and everyone we meet—even if we’re in situations we can’t immediately change. It’s called self-mastery, finding purpose in everything you face, and it’s called trusting that God’s got this! Keep moving forward, declaring, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”
God bless you!
Pastor Janice Fareed-Hardy
