Think about this...   Yesterday our country celebrated Labor Day.  What most of us did was "take the day off" and expect to be paid nonetheless!  Consider a couple points from the Old Testament book of Nehemiah...   Nehemiah had just gotten the news that his countrymen back home in Jerusalem were defenseless from their enemies because the wall and gates which protected the city at one time had been torn down and burnt with fire.  He is devastated and determines to go back and help them rebuild the walls.  After getting leave from his present job, he travels back with a passion to help his brethren.  He surveys the city's walls, lays out a plan, and musters the people for task ahead.  The people respond, "Let us rise up and build" (2:18).   When you get a couple minutes, read Nehemiah chapter three.  Although there are a lot of unfamiliar names throughout the chapter, there are two very important concepts I'd like for you to consider:   Point #1 - God Uses All Types of People   In the building of this much needed wall, Nehemiah uses priests, Levites, merchants, goldsmiths, perfumers, civic officials, and common folk.  He could have limited the work force to men only--especially in his culture--but women took part in the work as well.  He could have analyzed the situation and decided to only use those who were skilled in brick making, brick laying, carpentry, and  project managing...but he didn't.  He used everyone who had a mind and will to work.   Now obviously, some were more skilled than others; some had experience with stone work or wood carpentry.  But there they are:  men and women, priests and merchants, goldsmiths and perfumers...all working side by side accomplishing God's work.    The same principle holds true in the Church today.  God uses teachers, truck drivers, salesmen, nurses, CEO's, preachers, farmers, dentists, secretaries, janitors, active-duty military and retired union workers.  God can use YOU in the church today!   Point #2 - Teamwork is Essential   In the building of the wall, different people did different things.  Some were laborers, some were heavy-lifters, some were mixing mortar, some were repairing the gates, some were hanging the gates, etc.  Later, as problems escalated, some were working on the wall while others stood with spears, swords, shields, and armor (4:16).  It took everyone doing their part, pulling their share of the load to get the work done.   Again, in the Church today, teamwork is essential.  Some are truly gifted at teaching young children, some are blessed to be able to work with their hands, some are able to lead singing, some can cook to provide food, some can sit and comfort the hurting, some can encourage the fallen, and some can cheer the discouraged.   "So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work" (Neh. 4:6).   Find a place in God's Kingdom today and get to work!   Jody