Your Relevance

Nehemiah 2:5-6 – And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it. And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

Have you ever considered the depth of concern the king had for Nehemiah? His absence was not something to be taken lightly. "How long shall thy journey be? And when wilt thou return?" These were not just casual questions; they were the heartfelt concerns of a leader who could not afford to lose such a valuable presence. Nehemiah was not just another servant in the palace. He was indispensable. The king and queen did not see him as replaceable, nor were they eager to be rid of him. Instead, they longed for his swift return.

Contrast this with the reality of many today. There are those whose departure is met with relief rather than regret. Their presence or absence makes no real difference. Sometimes, their absence is even preferred. What about you? What is your contributory relevance? It is easy to overestimate one’s value. You hear people say in frustration, “I will not call again,” “I will not come again,” “I will not attend the choir rehearsals again,” “I will not come to church again” “I will not even visit you again.” But before making such statements, ask yourself how truly relevant you are. If you were to take time off to handle pressing matters, would those around you be eager for your return, or would they secretly rejoice in your absence?

When Nehemiah sought leave to rebuild Jerusalem, the king did not remind him of unclaimed leave days or suggest that he take additional time off. On the contrary, he wanted him back as quickly as possible. Fifty-two days away felt too long because no one else could do what Nehemiah did with the excellence and dedication he brought to his work. “When wilt thou return?” was not just a question. It was a plea.

Fathers, do your children eagerly anticipate your return when you travel, or do they breathe a sigh of relief, thankful for the peace your absence brings? Do they call day and night, asking, “Papa, when will you be back?” Or are they quietly grateful that, at least for a while, there will be no conflicts, no strife, no unnecessary tension? If your presence only stirs up chaos and contention, it is time to pray that God will make you a person of true value. A presence so impactful that you will always be desired.

And consider this. Nehemiah’s role should not have been difficult to replace. He was a wine taster in the king’s palace, a position many young men would have coveted. Yet, the king and queen could not find another to fill his place. They did not simply need a wine taster. They needed Nehemiah. That is the power of true relevance. Do not take the seemingly small tasks you do for granted. Even in the smallest roles, pray that God will make you absolutely relevant.

For he that is faithful in little shall be faithful in much (Luke 16:10). If Nehemiah had not been faithful as a wine taster, he would not have been entrusted with the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. Faithfulness in little is the foundation for greater assignments. Pray for faithfulness and relevance in all that you set your hands and heart to do. May your presence always be a blessing, and may those around you always long for your return.