Demo Day

If you have watched any DYI shows or caught up with HGTV, you know every renovation starts with Demo Day. It is the moment where a sledgehammer is premiering on the screen, and everything from countertops and cabinets and drywall to brick and mortar are victim to the force of destruction. And on cue, a large dumpster makes an appearance so all the rubble can be hauled away. 

Once what was a kitchen or living space looks barren and stark, but the producers intermittently show us throughout the episode the plans of the vision to keep us hooked until ‘The Big Reveal.’ You know the show where we see the before and after and are inspired and impressed about how a space can be transformed. But without Demo Day, none of it is possible. The old has to go before the new can be erected. 

When God started prompting Nehemiah about returning to Jerusalem, little did Nehemiah know that reconstruction would begin before he ever set boots on the ground at the site of the wall. It began in his prayer life, where God began to lay the foundation of the reconstruction project. 

Though the wall in Jerusalem was in dire need of repair, there had to be a Demo day for Nehemiah. Demolition for him was in the heart. The old had to be torn out, for the new work could begin. What does this look like? It is a confession from a repentant heart. Let’s take a look at the first part of Nehemiah’s prayer:

   “Then I said, “Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees, and laws you gave to your servant Moses.”

Neh 1:5 -7

Nehemiah begins his prayer with praise, already making a confession of how awesome and capable God is of faithfulness. Then he moves on to what I call the demolition phase; this is crucial in a successful reconstruction. Too often in my own life, when I have asked God to do something new in me, I have just wanted to move on to the building stage. Like in the DYI projects, decorating and furnishing are much more fun and exciting than demolishing, cleaning, and preparing for the next phase. But God reveals to me that He only builds in a clean work area. My heart needs to be pure from the desire to plan, control, and take credit for any work God does in my life. 

Like Nehemiah, I also need to confess sin and the weakness I have for it. Nehemiah could have stopped and hid behind his corporate confession on behalf of the Israelites, but instead, he said, “I, Myself have sinned against you, God.” I also need to have the faith that, just like Nehemiah, I believe that God is awesome and faithful and is fully capable of executing any work He begins in me. God doesn’t need confession; he doesn’t need anything. I need it because it restores the balance in my relationship with Him. It reminds me He is the initiator of our relationship born out of His everlasting provisional love. After undergoing demolition, he takes all the rubble of my life and mess and puts it into his dumpster of grace, never to be seen again.

Nehemiah’s prayer progresses as he reminds God of his promises to His people but finishes by making a small specific petition. Though the repair of the wall and the restoration of Jerusalem is the long-term vision, the only thing Nehemiah requests is this in verse 11.

“Give your servant success today by granting me favor in the presence of this man. for I was cupbearer to the king.”

Neh 1:11

 Nehemiah asks God for this first step. He doesn’t ask for the architectural plans, the timeline, or the cost. He does not request that God will hold his government job while he is away and begins the task of rebuilding the wall. He says, “grant me the favor that I may even approach this.” 

Nehemiah has no idea whether the king will view this as insurrection or disloyalty to the throne. The king has the power to take his life in an instant if he so desires, but still, Nehemiah asks God to go before him. I think of all the times God has prompted me about a task, which could be a new endeavor or ministry-based calling, and once God has revealed an idea, I’m off running with it: Foolhardy and prideful. I forget that it is only in God’s power and supply that any of it can be accomplished. I can testify to how many disappointments and failures I have experienced by not staying in step with God’s leadership and timing. 

These experiences usually begin because I don’t want to face demo day. I want to try and move forward but hang on to what I have now. In “Experiencing God,” Henry Blackaby says, “You can’t move forward with God and stay where you are at.” (paraphrased). I cannot experience reconstruction without demolition. I cannot have peace with God while I embrace sin. I cannot have peace with others without letting go of anger. I cannot achieve the potential that God gave me and intended for me without allowing Him to lovingly and painstakingly demolish the idea I have for myself. It is about letting Him erect the reborn version of me, one that is solid, unshakeable, and eternal.

Nehemiah humbled himself, and we know from scripture that God showed him how to reconstruct successfully. Not just of the wall but Nehemiah’s own life. 

Lord, I confess, demo day is my least favorite time in the work you do for me. I admit I get attached to the way things are even when they are things that displease you. Please help me to humble myself and undergo the demolition your holiness brings to my selfish human flesh. Remind me that in the place where you move out rubble, brokenness, and ashes, you bring beauty and function, designed specifically for me, whom you love deeply. 

Join me next time when the 5 o’clock worker examines the importance of stewardship in the next session, “The Opportunity,” in the series Under Reconstruction.