Each Brick Matters by Jan Powell

Each Brick Matters

by Jan Powell

“So I sent messengers to them, saying, ‘I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?’ . . . For they were all trying to intimidate us, saying, ‘They will become discouraged in the work, and it will never be finished.’ But now, my God, strengthen me”

(Nehemiah 6:3,9, Holman CSB).

Fighting Satan sometimes involves asking the right question. As a writer, I find that he sends his messengers with discouragement to dissuade me from whatever task God has given me. God’s words help me respond.

“Why should I stop?” is a great comeback to thoughts of quitting. Jesus set the example for us in his encounter with Satan. We can answer the enemy’s taunts with the Word because we, like Nehemiah’s crew, are doing a great work.

Building a wall doesn’t sound like much fun. We find no mention of award banquets, certificates of recognition, or spotlight moments for laying the most bricks in a day or putting in the longest hours. The men worked together with their eyes on a shared goal, knowing that every brick mattered. A weak section, an unsecured segment, or a missing piece affected the whole project. And in the end, they succeeded and celebrated.

Each word we write adds another brick to help build God’s kingdom. Our call to shine light into the darkness isn’t a solo job, but one that God accomplishes through many of us. I don’t need to obsess over others’ success compared to my work. I need to do my best and leave the oversight to God.

Nehemiah reminds us to focus on the finish line. So does Paul in Philippians and the writer of Hebrews. Getting there requires daily, consistent work. We continue to learn, share our skills with others, and press on when the wicked one whispers, “Quit.” He might employ outsiders or those in the family of faith. I’ve learned to keep my eyes on Jesus and listen to the truth he speaks.

My tools aren’t bricks and mortar but paper, pencils, and my computer. My fellow word masons meet monthly in a Christian gathering to sharpen each other’s skills. Years of practice and study have improved my writing.

Let God refresh our mission. We can defeat the enemy’s attack with this challenge. “Why should I stop? I am called.” We know this answer comes from God, so, let’s keep writing.

Father of walls that need to be built and words that need to be written, focus me on the task. Give me the comeback to quench the devil’s taunts and keep going. Amen.

Jan Powell, a graduate of the University of South Florida, helps writers through Writing with You, offering editing, rewriting, and coaching for fiction and non-fiction. Published in The Wordsmith Journal and Splickety, she has written for Inkspirations since the beginning.

Her in-depth editing includes poetry, devotionals, memoirs, fantasy, murder mysteries, thrillers, romantic suspense, and flash fiction.

She has hosted Tampa Word Weavers for almost two decades and has served in its leadership.