man of vision

In the anime Gurren Lagann, mankind is suppressed to live underground because there are "monsters" living on the surface. Mankind is powerless against the constant hunting from the surface monsters. Therefore, humans were not able to enjoy the beauty of the skies and the refreshing gentle morning breeze. But, a man named Kamina did not conform to this hopeless reality. He saw the possibility of doing something about it, he saw the place that he can reach, he saw that mankind can strive to overcome this situation by piercing to the surface! And because of him, the "Dai Gurren" movement was born to free mankind from the suppression of the monsters.

Kamina is one my favorite male anime characters. Besides that fact that he likes to say "who do you think I am?", he sees things that not other people can see. He is able to perceive the place that his followers and himself should head towards for a better tomorrow.

As I read Nehemiah, chapter 1 talks about the great distress in Jerusalem because of the walls are broken down. Historically, the walls of Jerusalem holds a great significance of the prestige and greatness of Israel. But because of sin, outsiders were able to invade and break these walls, creating an environment of hopelessness and disgrace. This is Nehemiah's reaction:

"The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah:
   In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

   They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

   When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said:

   “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

   “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

  “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

   I was cupbearer to the king." - Nehemiah 1


Nehemiah was a man of vision. He saw things as God saw them and was convicted deeply in his heart even to the point of fasting and prolonged mourning. It was not a trivial matter that his nation, God’s chosen people were in shambles because of sin. He took to task, planning and praying for a good time to act when the God would grant him the king’s favor.