By Jeana Pe

In my family, I am the youngest of three girls. I am the comic relief, the go with the flow girl, the bad situation relaxer, the neutral Switzerland, the wooing personality. I carry that same attitude into my everyday interactions and situations.

In the Future Leader Program, we are digging into the book of Nehemiah and taking turns leading discussions on assigned chapters. I was assigned Nehemiah 6. I became excited when I learned it was the chapter where Nehemiah’s big mission was accomplished. “So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in 52 days” (Nehemiah 6:15). I was thinking “PARTY! Big celebration! Big feast!”

But there was no PARTY, no celebration… no food. Nehemiah 6 is filled with Nehemiah’s enemies attacking him. They asked him to “compromise” with them (vs 2). They slandered his name (vs 5-7). They threatened his life (vs 10). Even after the wall was completed, they still made their looming presence known (vs 17-18). Not quite the fun chapter I was hoping for, but what a great lesson!

When my enemy attacks, what do I do? Compromise? Compromise is my middle name. Nehemiah was asked four times to compromise, but stayed focused on his job.

I pray that God gives me – and you – the same focus and unwillingness to compromise in His name and in pursuit of His purposes.

My Sisters and I