Purpose Study Bible 330: Stirred to Build

In Ezra 1:1, the Lord moved the heart of a king. In verses 5-6, He moves the hearts of the people: 

Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings (Ezra 1:5-6).

Divine initiative spread from palace to families. What began as a royal decree became a personal decision. Inspiration must become preparation. Purpose must become commitment.  Notice the progression: everyone whose heart God had moved prepared to go up and build. The stirring was internal, but the response was practical. They packed, organized, and rearranged their lives. Feeling moved was not enough; they prepared to act.

Not everyone participated in the same way. Some went to Jerusalem to rebuild. Others assisted with silver, gold, goods, livestock, and freewill offerings. Roles differed, but obedience united them. This is reminiscent of Exodus 35:21, when “everyone whose heart was stirred” brought offerings for the building of the tabernacle. God’s work advances when stirred hearts take practical steps. Inspiration must become preparation. Calling must become commitment. What begins in the heart must move to the hands.

What is your heart stirring to do? Is it in response to what someone else is doing, and you want to do your part? Whatever the motivation, don’t let overthinking become an excuse for delay. Do what your heart is moving you to do! The question is not simply whether you feel stirred, but whether you are prepared to do something about it. If you are, then it's time to write, go, study, speak, or create. When you do your part and others do theirs, the Kingdom advances on earth as it is in heaven.