Be A Builder

By Joe Chesser
 
    My brother-in-law is building a new house. Unfortunately, it is taking longer than he expected.  He’s doing most of the work himself, even though he’s not what you would call an experienced carpenter (he is more experienced now than he was this time last year).  He had some health issues that set him back at a critical time, and he took time to go on a mission trip to Costa Rica. Even so, progress is being made.
    He knew building a house would be neither quick nor easy.  At almost every step of the way it seems that something new had to be learned and some obstacle had to be overcome.  He never seemed to have quite enough material he needed for that day’s project.  And yet, he continues to build.  He has a goal, and regardless of what it takes, he is determined to reach that goal.  He knew there would be a lot he would have to learn.  He knew there would be some things he would have to change. He knew it would take a lot of time just planning the next step. Even for experienced contractors, building something worthwhile requires serious planning and effort.  But for builders, the end result is worth the effort.
     Building a life, a marriage, or a church is never as easy as tearing one apart. Anyone can be a destroyer.  It doesn’t take much planning or time.  Destroyers don’t care about what things end up looking like or how it might affect others.  Destroying doesn’t require order or process.  If you want to destroy, just whack away.  It’s easy to destroy someone’s life with a single slanderous accusation.  A selfish agenda can rip a marriage or church wide apart almost overnight.  But if you want to be a builder, you have to give it careful thought and patient effort, all the while keeping your eye on your objective. You never build anything worthwhile by accident.
    What are you doing to build your relationship with God?  Growing to maturity will not happen quickly or easily (like building a house by yourself).  There will be setbacks and difficulties, but like Paul, we must press on to the goal (Phil. 3:12-14). Yet, we must have a goal in mind. Drifters are not builders.  Make a plan to build!
     The same thing can be said about building your marriage or the church. There’s not much positive that can be said about a stagnant marriage or a listless church.  The Lord is calling you to be a builder.  Don’t be lazy.  Don’t sit back and hope someone else will take the initiative to be the builder.  If both the husband and the wife are building the marriage, it will soar!  If all the members of the church are working to strengthen the faith and increase numbers of the congregation, Satan will be powerless to hold you back.
    I know my brother-in-law will finish his house.  I also believe you can finish what you are building if you are faithful to your task.  Just keep making progress.

- Joe Chesser preaches for the Fruitland church of Christ, Fruitland, MO.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.cofcfruitland.com/