Sorry. I’m doing a GREAT work.

Screen Printing

I mentioned in one of my last posts, I received a screen printing kit for Christmas. I’m enjoying the learning process, and I’m enjoying the final products. It is so much fun.

I’m in love.

One of my first successes has been this shirt…

I love the design, but more importantly, I love the meaning behind the design – Sorry. I’m doing a GREAT work..

Andy Stanley

In 2012, I discovered Andy Stanley. I’m pretty late to the party, but better late than never.

Andy Stanley is a pastor/leader/author/speaker who leads a church called North Point Community Church in Atlanta. He is also the son of a famous preacher – Charles Stanley. Andy’s written a ton of books, recently Deep & Wide and How to Be Rich.

In late 2012 and in early 2013, I was listening to a ton of podcasts. One of the podcasts I regularly listened to was Andy Stanley’s “Your Move Now”. This podcast was a set of about 50 of his best sermons. I also started listening to his leadership podcast.

If you are a leader (or want to lead better), and you are into listening to podcasts, I highly recommend this podcast.

I won’t come down

During that time period, I heard Andy Stanley talk about a scripture in Nehemiah. First let me share the verse, then I’ll share the back story.

so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” -Nehemiah 3:6

Here’s the story…

Nehemiah lived during the time the Jews were in exile in Babylon. At the time of the exile, the Babylonians destroyed the temple and tore down the walls of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah was given the task, by God, to rebuild those walls. Nehemiah was truly on a “Mission from God.” He gained the favor of Artexerxes, the king of Persia (to whom he served as cupbearer), was given permission to rebuild, and even given materials to carry it out.

While the Jews had been gone from Jerusalem, other people groups moved in and took quasi-possession of the land. When Nehemiah showed up, took charge, and began actually getting something done, these men didn’t take kindly to it.

In fact, they hated Nehemiah. They hated him so much, they planned to kill him. The idea was to draw Nehemiah to a meeting, and then “lay hands on him.” Nehemiah was pretty clever and saw right through their scheme.

When they sent word to Nehemiah asking for a meeting, the above was his response.

Don’t stop

So, Andy Stanley shared this verse in one of those podcasts I listened to, and it rung clear as a bell for me.

At the time, I was in the midst of “rebuilding a wall” in my life, and I was being opposed. People around me didn’t get it. They kept telling me to stop, come down and talk. Their intent was not to harm me, but they definitely didn’t want me to keep about my business.

I learned to respond as Nehemiah responded…”Sorry, I’m engaged in a GREAT work. I don’t have time for your agenda.”

It’s a great lesson in life. If you are doing anything of real importance, you will be challenged. When you are challenged what will you do? Will you stop? Will you keep building?

Don’t stop.

Keep going.

Learn to respond as Nehemiah responded…”Sorry. I’m doing a GREAT work.”