Committed to Completion

In April 2025, Construction Dive reported a 9.5% monthly increase in construction project abandonments. How many times have we started something we believed God called us to do, only to leave it unfinished? We begin with enthusiasm, convinced of the vision and committed to the assignment. But somewhere along the way, opposition arises, resources become scarce, poor planning creates setbacks, and discouragement begins to take its toll.

Nehemiah was not a priest, prophet, or religious leader. He was a cupbearer serving in the Persian court when he learned that Jerusalem's walls remained in ruins. Although he had no previous experience overseeing a construction project of that magnitude, he accepted responsibility for organizing the work and restoring honor to God's people and God's city.

What followed required considerably more than good intentions. Nehemiah prayed, planned, secured resources, assessed the damage, organized workers, confronted injustice, responded to opposition, and addressed problems within the very community he was attempting to lead.

His experience reminds us that faith and preparation are not competing priorities. Both are necessary to complete what God has called you to do.

I wrote Committed to Completion to explore that relationship. Through two complementary volumes, The Sword and The Trowel, I examine the spiritual and practical dimensions of leadership through the experiences of Nehemiah.

My hope is that these books will help readers develop a deeper understanding of Scripture while becoming better equipped to fulfill the responsibilities God has placed before them.