Life Happens...Especially in Exile

Dear faithful listeners,

Life has happened to your podcasters. I write to you from Middle-of-Nowhere, Kansas, as my David and I drive the final 300 miles of our move to Denver. A. J. will be sporadically checking his social media from Ohio, where his mother is very ill. We hope to be back to broadcasting next Friday . . . but life may "happen" again.

You expected to hear us tie up our exegesis of Ezra-Nehemiah today, so I'll give you a couple of teasers:

1. As soon as Nehemiah (cat) is away, the Israelites (mice) play.
2. Nehemiah (cat) comes "back, the very next day. They though he was a goner, but . . . he wouldn't stay away."

In chapter 13, Nehemiah has finished his mission in Jerusalem and returned to working in the Persian court when he learns that the Israelites are up to their old sins. He again drops everything to run to the next life-crisis.

2010 Nashville Flood in Amanda's neighborhood

In our fallen world, crises happen. In exile, we Christians do our best to plan our lives--be dedicated workers and loving family members--but sometimes life happens. I would hazard that those "happenings" are often God's way of putting us back on His track and reminding us that He is the one in control.

This week, as you anxiously await the conclusion of Nehemiah's memoir, ask yourself if your personal plans are aiding or inhibiting God's kingdom work. Are you willing to drop everything and run back to "Jerusalem" where His people need you?