Nehemiah 10 - Make It Real

Hello darlings, how are you?

This session we were in Nehemiah 10. Let's be honest, it's one of those chapters you could easily skim and think, “okay… a load of names I can't even pronounce and a big set of rules.”

But it’s actually a turning point. Because up until now, Chapter 9 was emotional, reflective, repentant (I encourage you to go back and read it) and then Chapter 10 is practical, structured, committed. Emphasis on the word committed. 

This is where the people go from  “God, we’re sorry” to “God, this is how we’re going to live differently.” and they actually stand 10 toes on it and actively build a strategy to do it - I rate them.

And that’s the shift a lot of people never make.

1. They wrote it down - this wasn’t casual

“Now those who placed their seal on the document were…” (Nehemiah 10:1)

They literally put their names to it, and kept themselves accountable. It wasn't oh i’m going to try and see how it goes, wish me luck kind of vibes. Its aim accountable to this so we need to fix up and make sure we follow through on the commitment. 

We often say we want discipline, consistency and growth, but how often do we lock anything in? Sometimes there is no structure, no routine and no clear decisions, so nothing changes.

If it's not defined, it won’t be sustained. For me, if it's not in the diary it wont get done - i'm sure a lot of you can relate. And this is our lesson here, get it written down, put it in your diary and make a plan. Its lock in season. 

2. They chose alignment over convenience

“…to walk in God’s law…” (Nehemiah 10:29)

This sounds simple, but it’s costly. Because alignment with God will always be challenging (and don't we know that!). It will challenge what's easy, what's familiar and what works for the moment and darlings, this shows up in everyday life, not just “spiritual” moments.

So here's what we can do and how we can get better:

• choosing your response instead of reacting - if you need to take time to digest and respond accordingly, do it.
• doing things properly when you could cut corners - remember we are the standard ladies!
• holding your standards even when no one is watching - don't slip, don't let your standards or guard down because you'll drift (remember the people in Jeremiah 5, we don't need any of that now do we)

Alignment is proven in small decisions, not big declarations. Keep going, because all of those little decisions compound. 

3. They got specific - no vague intentions

“…we would not give our daughters…” (Nehemiah 10:30)
“…we would not buy on the Sabbath…” (Nehemiah 10:31)

Notice, they didn’t just say “We’ll do better.” They said: “This is what better actually looks like.” and the leaders went first to set an example to the rest of the people. We say we need to be more disciplined, which is great but what are you starting? What are you stopping? What does your day actually look like? Have you planned all of that? Because without the plan, it's just an idea.

Darlings, we are all leaders in some area of our lives, at work, at home, at book club, ask yourself where you need to step up and be better. I always say we must be the example we want to see in the world. 

Remember, clarity removes inconsistency.

4. Boundaries matter - not everything gets access, and that's ok!

“…we would not give our daughters…” (Nehemiah 10:30)

This bit is about protection. They understood that what they allowed in would shape them. Sit and think about this for a second. 

Everything that has access to you affects your mindset, influences your behaviour, shifts your standards. That's people, things like scrolling socials (I have been bad for that in the past to the point God made me fast from it!). We have to think about the people and conversations we entertain, the environments we’re in and what we consume (again media and also food).

If everything has access, you’ll feel pulled in every direction, and access determines influence.

5. They trusted God enough to stop (I love this)

“…we would not buy it on the Sabbath…” (Nehemiah 10:31)

Darling, this wasn’t just about a day. This was about saying “We’re not going to operate under constant pressure.” Now how many of us have experienced that in life - I know I have. 

We’re used to pushing, doing more, staying busy and having minimal rest. But rest is not laziness. It’s actually trust.

If you never pause your energy drops, your clarity drops, your decision making suffers. God tells us himself “be still and know that I am God”.

Stopping is not falling behind. It’s maintaining what you’re building.

6. God gets first, not what’s left

“We made ordinances to bring the first fruits…” (Nehemiah 10:35)

They didn’t give leftovers. They gave first, and this is bigger than money. It's your time, your attention, your focus. Ask yourself honestly, what gets the best version of me each day?

Because whatever gets your first attention is what’s leading your life. How many of you wake up and the first thing you do is scroll before spending time with God?......

7. No more neglect

“We will not neglect the house of our God.” (Nehemiah 10:39)

This is how they close. It's not emotional. It's the decision they have made.

The neglect doesn’t look dramatic, it can look like “i’ll do it later” or "I've been busy” or "I'll get back to it” and slowly, that's when things drift.

Your walk with God doesn’t disappear overnight. It weakens through inconsistency and all of those little things you let drift.

Consistency sustains what intensity starts.

Darlings, Nehemiah 10 is simple, but strong - Your life doesn’t change because you feel something. It changes when you decide something and build structure around it.

That's all from the boardroom this week. 

See you next time,

Hannah-Curlita xx