Constructive Construction (A Normal Christian Life)
This is the framing of the lower floors
of a planned 24-story office tower that will open its doors next year. It will
boast dramatic 360° views of San Francisco, the Oakland Hills, UC Berkeley, and
the surrounding areas. Shorenstein Properties ‘dubs’ it 601 City Center,
and I highlight ‘dubs’ because it's just a block away from the Golden State
Warriors headquarters. Shorenstein broke ground in Q2 of this year
and they expect to build for another couple of quarters. That’s about a year of
construction.
Occasionally, you might find a person or two staring at the work, but, for the most part, people just walk by this everyday activity. Business as usual.
Occasionally, you might find a person or two staring at the work, but, for the most part, people just walk by this everyday activity. Business as usual.
We are more amazed when
buildings are demolished. We have a peculiar fascination with the quick
destruction of something grand. What takes months, maybe years, to build, can
be destroyed in only days, or even hours. Society pays more attention to the
quick fall of the mighty than it does the day-to-day, continued effort to
develop perhaps a high-rise tower, a business, a career, a church, a family, a
life. We often overlook the long-term benefit of day-to-day effort with respect to physical, social, emotional, or spiritual development. Instead,
we prefer that children just grow up, or that we finally have a gratifying job, or that life can just be better. But if it all happened too
fast, we would miss out on the norms and benefits of daily living.
Life, including spiritual life, is a
journey. Some things can be instant
with God – salvation, interaction within our activities, ‘aha moments’ – but
much of our spiritual awareness and growth comes as a result of everyday, baby
steps and periodic encroachments into our comfort zones. That’s more the norm when we
commit our lives to honoring God.
If this
doesn’t characterize our spiritual journeys, maybe we aren’t truly on the
journey.
Jesus told His disciples,
“…In this world you will
have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Hard work accompanied by trouble is a normal way of life for Christians. It is also normal to forego much of what we desire in favor of daily sacrifice while we obey God.
Some Christians have
stunning testimonies of how Jesus saved them from sure demise, and they memorialize freedom from the grip of sin. We gravitate toward those stories and
marvel, rightfully, at the power of God. Similarly, there are others who are
quite popular and enjoy the attention and prestige that come with celebrity
status. (I think of pastors, musicians, and other notables.) We like to sit at their feet or participate
in their ministries. People like that are gifts from God. They’re good and
necessary for the body of believers.
But a
greater percentage of Christians are not at the forefront and do not have
compelling come‑to‑Jesus stories. Most of us are not so sparkly. We live our
daily lives and, for the most part, people don’t notice. I write this post for
those people – for us. I come to you with very little fanfare, but I’m here to
say, this is normal for a Christian.
We probably
won’t stand out from the crowd. During construction, people just pass by. As
the exterior details emerge, people might take a look and see that things are
coming along, but that acknowledgement will fade. Even when a building is ready
and the ribbon is cut, its still just another building.
Most structures are not grand like One World Trade Center and its One World Observatory, or the campus of the 9/11 Memorial. Those landmarks will always command our attention. But most buildings are just buildings.
Don't be discouraged. Our hum drum existence is beautiful and it is designed by God. It may not always feel like it, but our mediocre presence in this world is valuable to God, and if we stick with it, there will come a time when we look back, fall humbly at God's feet, and thank Him for what He has done in us, through us, and for us. We will see that our unnoticed, daily commitment to following God was and remains to be worth the effort.
For we are co-workers in God’s service;
you are God’s field, God’s building.
By the grace God has given me,
I laid a foundation as a wise builder,
and someone else is building on it.
But each one should build with care.
For no one can lay any foundation other than
the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
If anyone builds on this foundation using
gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,
their work will be shown for what it is,
because the Day will bring it to light.
It will be revealed with fire,
and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—
even though only as one escaping through the flames.
you are God’s field, God’s building.
By the grace God has given me,
I laid a foundation as a wise builder,
and someone else is building on it.
But each one should build with care.
For no one can lay any foundation other than
the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
If anyone builds on this foundation using
gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,
their work will be shown for what it is,
because the Day will bring it to light.
It will be revealed with fire,
and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—
even though only as one escaping through the flames.
1 Corinthians
3:9-15
We work,
not for fanfare, but for invaluable, eternal outcomes that speak to our daily
sacrifice. We work to honor our Redeemer
and Cornerstone of our faith (1
Peter 2:4-8, Ephesians
2:19‑22). In Christ, we have a firm foundation upon which to build using daily,
intentional, quality steps of honor (Matthew
7:24-27, Luke
6:46-49). No matter how small and overlooked our efforts may be, our
Redeemer uses them.
So, may we “never tire of doing what is good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13). “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Of course, “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12), but “blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).
Everyday
steps; everyday decisions. Daily doing what we know is right. Reading God’s
Word. Praying continuously as the hours pass. Leaning on God to provide and
deliver. Being kind to others. Responding with grace when challenged. Putting
others before us, sometimes doing so when it hurts. Regularly meeting with
Christian brothers and sisters in worship and Bible study. Regularly
ministering with them or on our own. Sharing God’s truth and God’s offer of
salvation as opportunities arise. Being a godly light and example in our
families. So much more. All of these things are part of a normal Christian life
and all of these things are often overlooked by people, but never by God (Psalms
33:18-22, 34:12-15).
As we
continue to sacrifice and make ourselves vulnerable for our Lord (Luke
9:23), remember we do it with His strength. Paul reminds us that “when I am
weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians
12:10).
Here's the steadfast sacrifice of the Apostle Paul:
…I do not consider myself
yet to have taken hold of it.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind
and straining toward what is ahead,
I press on toward the goal to win the prize
for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind
and straining toward what is ahead,
I press on toward the goal to win the prize
for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
As the years
pass, we can look back and be glad at how we’ve built on the Rock, an
unshakable foundation. But, for now, let’s
keep our heads up, and let’s not loiter in celebration of our redemption and freedom. Let’s keep our noses to the grind (Galatians
6:9, 2
Thessalonians 3:13) and offer quality sacrifice. It’s a hard life, but it is rewarding (2
Timothy 3:12, Luke
9:23, James
1:2-3, 1 Corinthians 15:57-58), Jesus will always be with us, and God will honor us (John 12:26).
Blessed is the man who
remains steadfast under trial,
for when he has stood the test
he will receive the crown of life,
which God has promised to those who love him.
for when he has stood the test
he will receive the crown of life,
which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
I close with a song that I enjoyed live in
October and that we sang at church last Sunday - confirmation to me that
I need to publish this post. I hope you
are encouraged to remain steadfast as you daily take up your cross for the sake
of Christ.
Listen to Cornerstone
by Hillsong Worship (released 2012)
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights
reserved worldwide.
This is my life, Stephen. I've really struggled with having a "boring" testimony. I grew up in the Church. I was a good kid. I sin just like everyone else, but I've tried following God since I was little.
ReplyDeleteYour words are a deep truth. My mentor told me recently that the faithful ones, who simply put one foot in front of the other every day and walk with the Lord, those people are the unsung heroes of the faith. Maybe what I do isn't heroic, but it's effective and I'm working toward Kingdom purposes.
I really liked this post. Great work!
Yeah, I think, like many other things about our faith, "boring" testimonies and daily commitment should be the stand-outs. But we remain faithful for the Lord, often in a closet, don't we. I'm glad for your testimony and your ministry and I'm sure many are blessed and encouraged as a result. Thank you for sharing this comment.
DeleteBeautiful message. We are special and unique because we are His and we are designed by Him. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes. That's one of the great things about our journeys. Mediocre, even less than mediocre, is perfect because we are who God decided to make us to be, and He fills in all the gaps.
Delete"Society pays more attention to the quick fall of the mighty than it does the day-to-day, continued effort to develop perhaps a high-rise tower, a business, a career, a church, a family, a life."
ReplyDeleteThat's why God has to remind us to "not be weary of doing good." We want to see results instantly. God is building souls. That takes time. Great message here! God bless!
Amen. Much more happens over time - things that last and make people who they are. Thank you for reading and commenting.
DeleteYou are right—it's definitely a process. This line resonated especially: "Living for God is like the daily grind of a high-rise construction project. We have the blueprints, we've executed the contract, and now we need to do the work..."
ReplyDeleteYrs. We need the work to reach and encourage others. I know you get that and I appreciate your work.
DeleteThanks for the sharing your words of encouragement. I can relate because my life feels like this sometimes. Working without the blueprints can build an unsafe structure so I must rely on the architect to show me the best plans to build the perfect building. God bless.
ReplyDeleteHi Yvonne. The blueprints are so important. We definitely can build using feelings or our guts. May we all be committed to daily Bible reading.
Delete