_By Dr. Dr. Ageorgia_
Nehemiah 1:2-4 – “That Hanani, one of my brethren, came… and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left… are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.”
THE STORY
Nehemiah was comfortable. He had migrated to a big city, he had a good job in the palace, he was safe. But his heart was still at home.
When his brothers came from Judah, he didn’t ask about business or money. He asked, “How are my people? How is my community?”
When they told him, “Your people are suffering, the walls are broken, the gates are burnt,” he didn’t say “That’s their business.” He sat down, wept, fasted and prayed. Even though he was far, his heart was home.
MORAL LESSONS FOR US TODAY
1. Never Forget Home.
Many of us have left our villages and small towns for Accra, Kumasi, or abroad. We are comfortable where we are. But we have forgotten where we started life. When was the last time you asked about the welfare of your hometown? When was the last time you asked about the school you attended, the water your people drink?
2. True Concern Leads to Action, Not Just Pity.
Nehemiah was sad, yes. But he didn’t stop at sadness. He prayed and then he acted. How do we respond when we hear our community has no potable water, no light for students to learn at night, bad roads linking farms? We see it, we have the capacity to help, but we keep quiet because “I am not there.”
3. You Don’t Need a Title to Develop Your Community.
Nehemiah was not a Chief. He was not an Assembly Member, not an MP, not a President, not a Minister. He was an ordinary citizen who worked in the palace. But he had development on his heart.
You don’t need a position to bring change. You are the government. The President is only the leader of the government, but WE are the government.
4. Real Development is for All, Not for Show.
Some of us only return home during funerals or weddings, quickly painting our family house to impress guests. That is not development. Painting your family house benefits only your family.
True development benefits EVERYONE – a borehole, a community library, a small solar system for students to study, fixing the road that connects the villages.
5. Use What You Have to Lobby What You Don’t Have.
Nehemiah didn’t have all the resources, but he used his position, his voice, and his influence to lobby the King for support. You may not have money, but you have a voice, a phone, an office, an education. You can write a proposal to an NGO, connect your community to a donor, use your network to bring help.
6. The Youth Are Ready, They Only Need a Leader.
When Nehemiah finally returned, he said to the youth, “Come, let us ARISE and BUILD.” And the youth responded massively! Yes, some will oppose you, some will insult you, some will accuse you. But many are ready and waiting for someone to mobilize them.
SO WHAT SHOULD WE DO AS CITIZENS AND YOUTH?
1. Go Back and Ask: Visit home not just for occasions, but to check on real needs.
2. Pray for Your Community: When was the last time your family gathered to pray for your hometown and its development?
3. Start Small, Start Now: Don’t wait to become rich. Contribute your idea, your time, your skill.
4. Think Collective: Stop only helping one or two people. Think of projects that will outlive you and benefit hundreds.
Nehemiah could have said, “I am comfortable here.” But he chose to be uncomfortable for the sake of his people. That is true citizenship. That is true love for God and country.
Arise and Let Us Build Our Communities!
#DailyNewsflash #YouthMotivation #CommunityDevelopment #NehemiahGeneration #DrAgeorgia #AriseAndBuild #GhanaYouth
