Happy New Year, My Dear Friends,
One of the finest and most valued colleagues with whom I have had the privilege of serving across fifty years of parish ministry has been our own Jennifer Tankersley, Imagines’ Minister of Worship and the Arts since day one, now over ten years ago. There is a Scriptural passage she quotes often, and I wish to share it with you as we begin a new year together.
The Old Testament records the story of Nehemiah, who had been taken from his homeland by a conquering army. While kept in exile, he rose through the ranks to become cupbearer for the king, and the day came when the benevolent king released Nehemiah and allowed him to return to his native land. There he found his country in shambles. Nehemiah set out to restore his homeland and started by rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. There were people in that land who, for various reasons, did not want Nehemiah to succeed. They came at regular intervals to stop the project. “Come down, come down,” they demanded. Jennifer Tankersley, however, still remembers Nehemiah’s answer to their taunts: “I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down” (Nehemiah 6:3). I know because she quotes Nehemiah’s words often.
In doing so, Jennifer reminds us that to keep going we must believe in ourselves. I recall once reading a book entitled, Through the Valley of Shadows. It was written by a priest who was a leader in the Nazi resistance movement during World War II. He wrote, “You could tell the difference between those who had deep convictions about themselves and those who did not. People who had deep-seated beliefs about the meaning of life, who knew who they were, were simply not afraid anymore.” Every life, we must remember, has a purpose.
Jennifer’s frequent admonition from Nehemiah also reminds us of the necessity of hope. Nehemiah’s dream of rebuilding may not have been possible, but he believed it could be done. It was this hope that kept him going even though he often worked alone. One of America’s most distinguished psychologists, George Basalla, has said, “Destroy hope and civilization will perish. Keep it alive and humanity will survive.” That’s profoundly true.
But the most important thing I hear in Jennifer’s frequent quote is the value of a compelling sense of purpose. There is nothing like a sense of purpose to give us renewed energy and determination. Nehemiah knew what he was about. Despite his critics he would not turn back. Wise is the parent, business leader or manager who helps children, customers, or employees understand the whole picture and how they themselves fit into the larger effort. People do not fare well when they don’t know what they are about.
It’s been a long time since the days of Nehemiah, but Jennifer knows that his story still speaks to us. It may be tough at times to keep going, but it’s a lot easier if you believe in yourself and if you can find a compelling purpose. Only then can you run any race in life with patience and with hope.
Remember you are doing a great work, and you cannot come down,
Bruce Jones, Pastor
Imagine Church
