"Building"

We’re always building something,

It must be in our blood,

Wealth and safe retirement,

They tell us that we should.

We all have our plans and schemes,

The things we focus on,

Success and our accomplishments,

The things we hope so long.

I’m not saying this is wrong,

A vision, dream and goal,

Or working hard and sticking with,

To make our lives unfold.

But in it all and through it all,

There is a bigger theme,

And that is what the Good Book says,

When doing anything.

Says if the Lord is building,

All will be okay,

But unless He really is,

Nothing can make it stay.

All in vain and wasted,

Without the Master’s touch,

Unless He guards the city,

Safety, not so much.

We work from early morning,

Till sometimes late at night,

Anxious, stressed, and busy,

And oftentimes uptight.

But God is still the author,

Of all the rest we need,

And if we rest while working,

The Spirit will indeed,

Accomplish more than ever,

And God will get the praise,

And life will get much better,

Our hearts and minds He’ll raise.

And He will give us children,

A great reward from Him,

Like arrows make a quiver full,

Into the future send.

And whether they are children,

We parent physically,

Or those whom God connects us with,

To mentor ours to be,

God will make us fruitful,

If we allow Him to,

Build the house we’re building,

It’s all that we should do.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the work of the builder is wasted…” (Psalm 127:1, NLT)

When we think of a wasted life we often think of those whose addictions or crimes have led them astray. We don’t often think of someone who is working, but their work is worthless. What a bitter pill to swallow! What if everything you did was written off entirely as meaningless? But that’s exactly what the Psalmist says about those who exclude God from the lives they are building. Unless the Lord builds the house…. These are powerful words. But what do they mean? Perhaps we do not fully know. But at the very least we have surrendered our lives to the Lord and asked Him to guide and direct us. We are depending upon Him to help us, and are careful to live thankfully. These would all be ingredients to letting the Lord help us, defend us, and bless us. What’s interesting is that the Psalmist then shifts immediately to raising children. Do you think there might be a connection? Perhaps the most important thing God wants us to build is not success and wealth, but rather strong, loving relationships. Children are his gift, and the more the merrier! What if you are not able to have physical children? Does this mean you will be unrewarded? No! In fact, it’s sometimes the spiritual children God gives us that become the greatest blessing of all. Let the Lord build it. Let Him protect it. He can and He will.

Lord, please us build our lives according to Your will, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Herman Walker, hermanwalker.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Herman, and God bless you.