Right Where You Are
God’s Purposeful Placement in Your Life
Have you ever felt stuck? Like you're waiting for life to finally begin, for the "real" purpose to kick in, for God to move you from where you are to where you're "supposed" to be?
There's a profound truth woven throughout Scripture that challenges this restless assumption: God puts us right where we are on purpose. Not as a delay. Not as a detour. But as a design.
The Power of Divine Placement
The story of Nehemiah offers a masterclass in understanding God's sovereign orchestration of our lives. Here was a man living in exile, serving as cupbearer to a foreign king—the very empire that had destroyed his homeland. Day after day, year after year, he tasted wine to ensure it wasn't poisoned, protecting the life of a ruler whose people had left Jerusalem in ruins.
It would be easy to see this position as wasted potential. A seminary-educated missionary flipping burgers. A gifted teacher stuck in an entry-level position. A passionate believer surrounded by people who don't share their faith. We've all been there—wondering why God has us here when we could be doing something that feels more significant there.
But consider this: Nehemiah's placement wasn't incidental. It was preparatory.
The Season of Waiting
When Nehemiah first heard that Jerusalem's walls remained broken and its gates burned, his heart broke. He wept, fasted, and prayed for months—somewhere between three and four months of what must have felt like divine silence. He carried this burden daily, continuing to serve faithfully in his position, all while wondering if God was listening.
This waiting wasn't wasted time. God was shaping Nehemiah's heart, deepening his dependence, and preparing him for a moment he couldn't yet see coming.
The delay teaches us something crucial: prayer is not a lever to force God's hand, but a means of shaping our trust. God's work unfolds according to His calendar, not ours. And in the waiting, He's often doing His deepest work—not in our circumstances, but in us.
Think of Moses spending forty years as a shepherd before leading the Exodus. David anointed as king, then sent back to the fields and later fleeing for his life in caves. Paul spending years in relative obscurity after his dramatic conversion before stepping into public ministry. Even Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, learning obedience in the ordinary rhythms of family life for eighteen years before His public ministry began.
God values depth before display. Hidden preparation guards His servants and strengthens their obedience.
When the Door Opens
Then came Nisan—the month when everything changed. Nehemiah was simply doing his job, taking wine to the king, when the door opened. Not because Nehemiah forced it. Not because he manipulated circumstances or lobbied for an audience. The king noticed his sadness and initiated the conversation.
This is divine providence at work—God's sovereign direction over people, places, and time to accomplish His purposes.
But notice what happened next. When asked what was wrong, Nehemiah was "overwhelmed with fear." This wasn't stoic bravado or fearless confidence. This was real, legitimate fear. Speaking honestly about Jerusalem could cost him everything—his position, his relationship with the king, possibly even his life.
Yet Scripture doesn't rebuke Nehemiah for his fear. Instead, it highlights what he does with it.
Biblical courage is not the absence of fear. It is faithfulness despite fear.
As the Psalmist wrote: "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Fear becomes the occasion for faith, not its opposite.
So Nehemiah prayed—a quick, silent prayer in the moment—and then spoke. He honored the king while remaining clear about his request. He was bold without being arrogant, respectful without being timid. He demonstrated trust in God rather than attempting to manipulate authority.
Enthusiasm vs. Endurance
What's remarkable is that Nehemiah didn't just ask permission to go. He had a plan. When the king asked clarifying questions, Nehemiah provided specific answers: a clear timeframe, letters for safe passage, timber for gates and walls.
This reveals an important tension in kingdom work: we operate by faith and dependence on God, but we also use the minds He's given us.
Most meaningful work begins with enthusiasm. The vision captures our imagination, energy runs high, momentum feels strong. But enthusiasm has a short shelf life. It fades when obstacles appear, when resources run thin, when the work takes longer than expected.
Passion can start a project, but it cannot sustain it. What begins with excitement continues through dependence. Kingdom work requires resources, endurance, wisdom, and timing that exceed what we can generate on our own.
Wise planning doesn't compete with trust in God—it expresses confidence that God works through thoughtful preparation and obedient stewardship. As Proverbs reminds us: "Commit your activities to the Lord and your plans will be established."
Significantly, Nehemiah explicitly credited God: "The king granted my request for the gracious hand of my God was on me." Even as he made wise plans, he recognized that God was doing all the work.
The Certainty of Opposition
Yet even with royal approval, armed escorts, and official letters, opposition emerged immediately. Sanballat and Tobiah were "greatly displeased" that someone had come to seek the welfare of God's people.
This reveals a sobering truth: spiritual opposition always accompanies faithful obedience.
Jesus promised His followers: "You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me." Paul told Timothy: "In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
The enemy doesn't react to our words—he reacts to our work. Opposition isn't a sign that we've gone off course. Often, it confirms that God's work is advancing.
Your Current Position
So where has God placed you right now?
Maybe it's a workplace where you're surrounded by people who don't share your values. Maybe it's a family situation that feels more like exile than home. Maybe it's a season of waiting that's stretched far longer than you expected.
Don't despise your current position. Ask God how He might be shaping your character, building your credibility, and preparing you for future obedience in the here and now.
You are not where you are by accident. God has positioned you—near influence, near people, near opportunities—long before you understand why. And when the moment comes, when the door opens, will you be ready to step through in courage and faith?
Cultivate a life of prayer that prepares you for decisive obedience. Trust that when God calls you to act, He will supply what His work requires. Your obedience doesn't rest on the certainty of outcomes, but on confidence in His grace.
The gracious hand of God is at work right now—placing, preparing, providing, and protecting. The question is: will we trust Him enough to be faithful right where we are?
