Building Every Day

“And in him  you too are being built together to become  a dwelling in which  God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:22 (NIV)

I like to look at building projects, to observe the people and the activities  involved, and I must say I have plenty to look at in  my part of town, where developers are furiously building.  The city officials  appear to be pleased that things are booming along so well. They say the city is growing.

It isn’t just the large  complexes that are being constructed. A few  houses destroyed in the major tornado we suffered four years ago are just being rebuilt. It’s good to see all the activity and  the stacks of materials. It takes a lot of work to make a building, to make  everything  into a habitable space.  The groundwork is laid first, so that the building has a solid foundation.  The entire project often takes a long time.

As God’s building, we’re not thrown up overnight.  The proper foundation has to be laid, and God uses people— friends, pastors,  parents, and teachers—to help in our building process, but Christ is the Chief Builder. He is the One who fits us  together with the right materials that will hold up over time.  Jesus told a story about two men who set out to build; one was wise, the other  foolish.  The foolish one built on a sandy lot without proper foundation. The house crumbled when a strong  storm hit it. The other man laid a foundation on a Rock and had a building that was able to stand up in the fiercest weather. The finished product might be good to look at,  but  it must rest on a firm foundation. Our Lord told  stories  to teach us, and we can learn from this one that me must build our life’s character on the solid Rock.

Our focus text presents a glorious thought. We’re not building a showplace  for ourselves or for others to admire, but a place where  “God lives  by His Spirit.”  Let us then  make every effort to allow the Master Builder to take charge of all  aspects  of our life’s  building.  If we do,  the result will be a place  that is attractive, well  appointed, and with a sacred space  for the Holy Spirit to  occupy.

Always,

Judith

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“We are building in sorrow or joy
A temple the world may not see.”
**** from a hymn by  N. B. Sargent