Last Saturday, I tried installing the big mirror, and of course, I need to nail the hooks on the wall first. I can only drive the nail halfway, and it will start to bend. I tried a screw, but it went into a few millimetres, and the screw’s head got busted.

As I am not a skilled carpenter, I asked for the help of my senior pastor, a builder. He came with his tools and installed the wall hooks with much ease.

I observed that he drilled a smaller bit into the wall to provide a pathway for the nail. Then he gently drove the wall hook’s nail into the wall.

“Whew, you made it look so easy”, I said.

I learned I was nailing on rimu (an NZ hardwood) studs, and there is a strategy to successfully drive a nail into this wood type.

Let us learn from Nehemiah’s strategy to achieve his Godly goal of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

The T.A.O. Strategy

To be at it

This idiom means “to be involved in doing something.”

• Nehemiah went to Jerusalem and stayed for three days. (v. 11)
• As the body without the spirit is dead, faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26)

Assess objectively

• Nehemiah rode through the area at night. (Vv. 12 to 15)
• He went around secretly. (v. 16)

Operate smartly

• Identify the problem and share it with those who would be doing the work. (v. 17)
• Acknowledge the gracious hand of God in everything (v. 18)
• Anticipate opposition (v. 19)
• Focus on God of heaven, who will give us success (v. 20)

In celebration of the Maori language week (11-18 September 2022), I searched the meaning of “tao”, and here are the following definitions or translations:

tao (/taʊ,ˈtɑːəʊ/)

• (noun) spear, javelin, lance.
• (verb) (-na,-ngia) to cook.
• (noun) cooking.

“Tao” in Tagalog or “tawo” in Hiligaynon and Cebuano languages means “human” or “person”.