Wednesday, December 31, 2008


Under Construction Part 2b

...learning to live in and with the mess...
"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 3:14

So, what now? Well, we can complain about the mess and the perpetual feeling of incompleteness and be frustrated by the fact that life is always getting in the way. Or, we can change our tune, our attitude, our line of sight. Certainly the blueprint has been written, there is a vision to be grasped, and even something (more) glorious waiting in the end. The master builder is hard at work.

But thank God that He (thee Master Builder) doesn't use professional contractors to do the job, but He uses one Master Craftsman and a bunch of out of work, want-a-be apprentices, who have to pull as many nails as they put in – a Builder who patiently and kindly is willing to adjust the (our) plans even a little, to get us to the end. God loves our plans, our vision and our goals, and is eager to know them, but I think He takes even more pleasure in helping us adjust those plans to bring us to a place that is beyond our vision and scope. A place He has already prepared. We can rejoice that He would use us in the process, that He takes joy in the partnership and that He sees the final outcome even (or especially) as life gets in the way...

so God says...

"Commit to (Me) the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3 and...

"In His heart a man plans his course, bu (I) the LORD determines his steps." Prov. 16:9 and...

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is (My) the LORD's purpose that prevails."
Proverbs 19:21

...enjoying the ride...

"All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if at some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already obtained." Phil. 3:15

If we can understand, accept and learn to love the process – that we are not done, and we won't be anytime soon, maybe our frustration would subside – maybe we could be a little more patient. Maybe what we expect from others (usually a standard that we ourselves could never measure up to) will soften enough for us to love them where they are, instead of impatiently waiting for them to be where we think they should be.

To know, to be sure, that there is something amazing waiting at the end...

So, let's do this together. Let's be less concerned about what we're not, and more concerned about living (or loving) out what we've already become. Still, striving to be more, but not taking for granted – or underestimating what are.

The great thing is that we know, eventually the job will be done.

Perspective.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phil 3:20-21

So lift your eyes... maybe the best part will be standing back with the Master Builder, looking at the finished project, and then, having seen it, Him, we can sigh that sigh, knowing that we did this together, God in me, God in us, God through us... as life happened.

But, until then, forgive our mess while we are under construction – but don't expect it to be done any time soon. I refuse to lose sight of the joy of the mess, the process of life as it happens.

So to each of us I want to say, it's ok, be patient and enjoy the ride.

Let us fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured to cross, scorning its shame...” Hebrews 12:2

Both us individually and us the church... taking all we have to offer and transforming it, us, into to something amazing ~ mosaic





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