"The People had a mind to work." Neh. 4:6. A short statement tucked away in the middle of a Bible story with other statements that are probably quoted more often. And it's an easy sentence to overlook—only seven words. But without it, the outcome would not have been the same.
The story relates to the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah's heart demanded that he go to Jerusalem to do this work. The account is frequently remembered for the wisdom that Nehemiah expressed in outwitting the subtlety and deception of those who opposed the rebuilding of the wall.
Of equal importance to success, however, was the simply stated fact that the people had a mind to work. They had the desire, the vision, the togetherness, the love, to persist, and not to be distracted from their purpose. We're finding these same qualities to be vital in our renewal activity today as well.
