I am enamored with architecture and
the process of construction. Whether new construction or an update to a home,
these can be exciting thoughts born from dreams of perfection; architecture
styles, functional layouts, and colors palettes. As I stand on the crest of one
hill and look to the summit of this potentially completed aspiration, the
fulfillment of these mental abstractions, I am full of joy and hope for the
embodiment of this future.
Cue the descent of the progression
of time (and perhaps some dramatic music? I’m pretty sure this is when “they”
insert the transitional dramatic music, whomever “they” are). In order to move
from this current location in the direction of this vision, I must begin the
trek through challenging realities in the direction of the distant horizon with
only the mental image of the vista to guide me. In all honesty, this is the
part I think I could do without, yet somehow it has never once worked out that
way for me. EVERY time I approach this leg of the journey I remain hopeful that
one day it could be possible? Just this once? Maybe? Please?! Pass Go? Collect
$200?? A vision realized without the laborious efforts? Ruby red slippers?
Click some heels? Yes?
But this is not to be reality (at
least not mine). And I ponder, are we able to build muscular strength without
any resistance? To create music without keen repetition? To grow in knowledge
without study? To know the delectable heat of a fire without any prior
friction?
And so it is with our spiritual
realities. Psalm 127:1-2 tells us this:
Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Did you notice the opening,
repeating phrase “Unless the Lord?” God is so good… He just knows that
sometimes I’m slow and he’d better go ahead and say things twice so I’ll catch
it. Or thrice. Or… well, you get the point. I can run, or
walk, or… ok, set my mind on (what? You don’t know me. I COULD run) after many things, but apart
from HIS purposes for me, my great dreams and aspirations are only nebulous
fluff. And as I’m aging I’m finding that I have less energy and a keen
awareness of just how few hours are realistically in a 24 hour day. So I want
to spend my time doing the things that will bring me satisfaction, the things
he has hand picked for my life, nothing else. You know, the exact opposite of
the word “vain,” which is also repeated up there in those verses.
And so God allows the resistances to
show up as we descend into the valleys not to torture us, but to make us
stronger, increasingly keen, even more mature and wise if we will be willing
students. The beauty of this process is that I’m not called to do "nothing;" I am
still called to build the house. Still called to watch over my city. But I am
also called to rest, to only do what he has purposed for me to do in this
season in this place, no more, and no less. HE then is ultimately doing the
work of perfecting all these things. I need only harness myself to his
strength. I’m learning that an indicator that I’m not harnessed to him is true
exhaustion. Not that kind that is resolved with a hot bath, a good meal, and a
good night’s rest. The kind that lasts for weeks or months. The kind that is
full of feelings of despair over the monotony of life. Of “eating the bread of
anxious toil.” These are symptoms of not being in the right harness, of pulling
with only my own strength. Do you have any of these? Life suckers instead of
life givers? Throw them off!
Friends, only press into the harness
he has selected for you. If it is not your custom fit, it will rub you raw and leave
horrible blisters, perhaps even scars, if you continue in it. But he tells us
that his yoke is easy. His burden is light. As we work alongside of him, we are
filled with purpose and strength for the journey. Strength to see the vision
fulfilled, the dream realized.
Lord, please protect me today from
vainly spinning my wheels (mentally or physically). Help me to be aware of the
tasks I’m harnessed to and to remove the ones that aren’t from you. Give me
clear direction in these things so that my energies are spent only for your
purposes. Let all that I do be done in love, perfectly established by you.
Thank you for the sleep of the beloved.
Come to Me, all you who labor and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from
Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be
brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. 1
Corinthians 16:13-14
And let the beauty of the Lord our
God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17
