February 7 -

Ephesians 2:19-22, "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the Chief Cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows ...

Our local free newspaper carried a lead headline announcing that the Local Authority had, at last, after months of wrangling, been given the go-ahead to build some eighty plus houses on what has been until now, a green-field site. Little detail was printed regarding the style and character of these homes - time only will tell.

Thinking about these houses I got to wondering about my “house”, and the style and character I have grown into over the years of my life.

Before I was born my Architect had determined the locality in which He wanted my house to be planted (Psalm 139). He had drawn up the plans for the Foundation (Exodus 20), provided scale models – the Apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:19-22), along with the essential Builder, and Cornerstone; then equipped me with the skills I would need to project manage and complete a house that would reflect the glory of the Architects vision (Genesis 1:26)

But in reality, what have I done with all of this available knowledge and assistance? What now is the style and character of my “house”?

Well, given the freedom to choose I had my heart set on building either a lighthouse, or a country cottage - buildings with walls strong and stout enough to withstand the inevitable storms, winds, and disasters that would inevitably lash against them as years went by, and a roof that would spread it's "arms" wide, covering and protecting all who enter the building.  Both the lighthouse, or the cottage, would beam out beacons of light into the darkness  - the message of the Architect's concern for the safety of all who are in danger of drowning in despair as their hopes and dreams lie shattered.

Have I chosen wisely, and drilled deep and anchored my foundations in the Solid Rock, Cornerstone in pride of place? Is my beam of Light polished and shining brightly, helping others to find peace and safety, and avoid wreckage of their dreams and hopes?

If I'm openly honest, my answer is “Not always”. Over the years I've had periods when my life has gone from semi-detached to detached as I've found excuses to justify less time spent with my Bible - and what about the 'terraced house' phase – times when I have wanted to blend in with the majority and not stand out as being 'different'?

Then there have been the 'sky-scraper' do-it-myself times. Thank God these have been few and fleeting as something has always happened to bring me back down to earth and realise that it's through Christ only that heaven can be reached (Genesis 11:1-9). 

If this has been the 'building years', what can be said about the future retirement years beckoning us all? Well, they too will still be building years. Our houses may be ship-shape and in good order by then, but there will still be work to do, guiding, helping, and supporting the builders of the next generation, alerting them to the dangerrs of trying to achieve their dream home by their efforts alone - directing them to choose wisely, and always follow the Architects original Plans at every stage, whether it's a new-build, or a renovation project.

When physical work is beyond us we can continue working as  prayer warriors, underpinning the efforts of new labourers as they erect walls, strong and stout, building homes that will be havens of peace and grace, assurance of the truth of the Light's message of safety and everlasting life.


Building our home requires dedication and  perseverance, but the end result will be beyond our dreams and expectations. 


BUILD WELL!

Music today is . “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand” – click on the picture to listen.