The Language of We and Us

“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.’”
Nehemiah 2:17

As I write this Cornerstone Fellowship is working its way through the book of Nehemiah, not just on the weekends but throughout the week in hundreds of small groups. We are being called to rebuild the brokenness we see in our families, neighborhoods, cities, and beyond. How exactly does one go about mobilizing that kind action? Use the language of “we” and “us”. Nehemiah was a stranger to Jerusalem and yet when he addressed the people using “we” and “us” the people responded with a positive “Let us start building” (v. 18). 

Now we may not all be leaders like Nehemiah, but we all lead in some way great or small. What language do you use, with your friends, your children, your co-workers? If you are a “boss” what kind of language do you use with your subordinates? 

Husbands and wives you are stronger as “we and us” than as “you and I”. Neighborhoods would be better as we and us. Imagine what our country and world would be like if we could stand together as we and us, instead of nations of you and I. 

The New Testament speaks often of the unity of the body - the church is not supposed to be you and I rather it is called to be we and us. 

This week if there are walls that need to be rebuilt in your life, time sometime to think about the language you have been using to gain the cooperation of others. If you find yourself demanding change with you and I language I want to encourage you to stop, pray and then from heart of love try using we and us language. 

A Prayer
Father - Thank you for the example your servant Nehemiah set for us as we work to rebuild the broken walls in our lives. Help us to use the language of understanding and cooperation, the language of we and us. Show us favor this week in all You call us to. In the name of Jesus, Amen.