Pastor Aaron Shaw
Pastor Aaron Shaw
From Ruins to Restoration - The Ruins We Can’t Ignore // Aaron Shaw
From Ruins to Restoration - The Ruins We Can’t Ignore // Aaron Shaw
From Ruins to Restoration - The Ruins We Can’t Ignore // Aaron Shaw
Tuesday 12th August 2025
Explore Nehemiah's journey from ruins to restoration and learn lessons on honesty, prayer, and facing personal brokenness.
41 minutes
informative
hopeful
challenging
reflective
inspirational
About this podcast
Author:
Pastor Aaron Shaw
Overview:
Categories:
Religion & Spirituality
Creative Recovery Journeys
Family Recovery from Addiction
Financial Health in Recovery
Body & Mind
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
254 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!Facing Ruins: A Journey to Restoration
Episode Overview
- Nehemiah's ordinary status yet extraordinary leadership.
- The importance of honesty in addressing brokenness.
- Prayer as a foundation for restoration.
- Learning from historical accounts for modern life.
- Facing the ruins before rebuilding.
You can't restore what you refuse to face.
In this episode of Cedar Point Recovery, Aaron Shaw delves into the story of Nehemiah, an ordinary man called by God to lead an extraordinary restoration project. Set in the Old Testament, Nehemiah's tale is not just a historical account but a lesson in leadership and personal growth. Nehemiah served as a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, far from his homeland of Jerusalem, which lay in ruins.
Upon hearing about the broken walls and gates of Jerusalem, Nehemiah's heart was deeply burdened. This burden led him to seek God's guidance through prayer and fasting. Despite his lack of qualifications in architecture or leadership, Nehemiah's story is a testament to the power of faith and determination. He approached the king for permission and resources to return to Jerusalem and rebuild.
What stands out in Nehemiah's journey is his recognition that restoration starts not with a plan, but with honesty about what is broken. This episode encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and the areas that need addressing. It highlights the tendency to ignore or hide from problems rather than face them head-on. Aaron draws parallels between Nehemiah's time and contemporary life, emphasizing that many people live with their own 'rubble'—issues they refuse to confront.
Through Nehemiah's example, listeners are encouraged to engage in honest conversations with themselves and God, allowing room for grief and healing. The episode concludes with an invitation to pray, much like Nehemiah did, not with polished words, but with raw honesty. This approach lays the groundwork for true restoration, aligning one's plans with God's will. Through this journey, believers are reminded that they can't rebuild what they refuse to face.