Moving Hearts

"...everyone whose heart God had moved... prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings." Ezra 1:5-6

The Jews returned to Israel after 70 years in captivity and began to rebuild the Lord's temple. Every family pitched in, as did neighbors and non-Jews.

As people, as Americans, we are very good at helping others immediately after a time of crisis. September 11, Katrina, Joplin...our reaction is often swift and strong. But it is so easy to forget the lasting effects of such disasters; to move on with our lives after we have put in our time helping.

Despite the incredible length of time the Jews were in captivity, the desire to rebuild, to help, was still strong, because God moved their hearts. I can only hope that my heart will be so moved both now and in the future. I so frequently am wrapped up in my own life and struggles that I don't even do the simplest thing for other people...pray. When we have no money, when we have no time, when we have no resources...we can still pray. Pray for those still suffering the effects of the big disasters. Pray for those suffering the day to day tragedies. And pray for those who do have the money, the time, and the resources, that their hearts too will be moved.