Today's passage is Ezra 5:7-16. Because the Israelites are building the temple with great efficiency and the new governor of the Trans-Euphrates doesn't know by what authority, he sends a letter to King Darius politely suggesting he check out the story of the Jews that Zerubbabel gave him about the history of the Jews, their relationship with God, and the temple since the time of Nebuchadnezzar.
Zerubbabel is impressively open to the governor of the Trans-Euphrates about the Israelites disobediene to God and God's punishment of them. He's also open about who authorized the rebuilding of the temple---God did.
"Open"
In the few years I've been principal of my school, many of my decisions have been challenged.
In my first year I was nervous about making decisions and more nervous when I was challenged.
Everyone was used to the previous principal and his way of working, so I expected resistance.
I still meet resistance but now I'm used to it and don't worry so much.
Because of Wooridle training of opening my sins, I became principal wanting things to be more open in my school.
One of the first things I did was to remove the walls in the office.
I have no private office nor does anyone other than the chief financial officer.
I wanted a physically open office.
I wanted students, teachers, parents, visitors to see me and the office staff whenever they came to the office for anything.
I didn't want secrets breeding in hiding places.
I wanted most people's business known by most other people in the office.
I wanted a free flow of communication so that we could become comfortable with a lot of information not directly related to our own little job.
I encouraged the office staff to make suggestions related to other people's jobs.
I had to directly ask office staff to give me advice for the first few years.
Now they trained enough that they feel brave enough to suggest something they feel concerns the well being of the school.
Creating openness at school helps me do my job just as being open about my sins helps control my pride and doing my job of looking to God for direction.
I am not the sensitive, discerning man I want to be because I am proud.
Being open like Zerubbabel about my pride, my disobedience and my anger is the only way I know to stay true to walking God's path.
Lord, keep me open to your word, open to acknowledging my sins and open to repentance. Let me not fall victim to my pride.
