I have little time to be here today, friends. Still and yet, I’ve been stuck in 1 Chronicles 17 for the better part of an hour and feel like I want to say something. Nothing new on my end; “saying” something seems an easy fit with my personality. That being said, not all my “saying” is worthy of the “saying.” Are you following me?
Even if you’re not, there’s something I want to say to you. Something I think that God would like for us to remember as we go about the business of our day, desperately trying to “build” a life that matters. We’re all busy building something.
Careers.
Bank accounts.
Families.
Ministries.
Reputations.
Kingdoms.
Faith.
Followers.
Futures.
Agendas.
Selfishness.
___________________ (you fill in the blank).
Regardless of the “dressing” we’re wearing this morning, whether it be a hard hat, a whistle, and briefcase, some overalls, or, perhaps even our pj’s from the night before, you and I woke up to build something this morning. And while our intentions may operate from the purest of motives, nothing will build as lasting … nothing will frame as enduring… without the hands of God in the mix.
Here’s the deal. As Christians, we’re tempted to think that “If we build it, He will come.” Sometimes it seems to happen that way. But there’s a danger in thinking that the work of our hands and hearts can contain the holy presence of Almighty God. Our “building” may sound good on paper … might even match up with the truth of God’s Word and even receive the prayerful support of a well-intentioned committee or a home-team advantage.
But unless God builds it, we labor in vain … in our prideful attempts at trying to make God happen rather than simply letting God be. Where he will. When he will. Moving from one tent to another as he will.
You and I are that tent. As New Testament believers, we house the presence of the living God in this covering of our flesh—a temporary covering that will soon trade in for the eternal cloaking of a forever structure. Wherever we walk, he walks. God inhabits our flesh in order to build his kingdom through us, most days in spite of us. Most days we get it backwards. Most days we move ahead of God’s process.
We build and then we ask and then we wonder what went wrong. Why isn’t it working? Why isn’t the all-consuming fire from God descending upon our precious altar of hard work and sacrifice and causing it to burn with all the fervor and purpose of heaven? Why do the offerings of my brother or my sister’s heart seem more pleasing to God? Where is my payoff for doing something for kingdom?
Oh friends, we mean well. Really we do, and I believe that God honors our meaning well. We can’t always see on the front side of our laboring which way it’s going to go. Sometimes we just jump in with all the wild and wooly of a well-meaning trust, and rather than smacking us down immediately, God tenderly esteems the “want to” behind our building. He sees our hearts that are eager to do something … to be something … to work toward something that will matter in the end.
He doesn’t balk at our desire. Instead, he simply asks us for the shaping of that desire. For us to bring our desire before him … to sit with him in uninterrupted pause and consider the “building” together. As the “tent holders” of an extraordinary King and his kingdom therein, we carry the weighty responsibility of bringing Jesus into the mix of our everyday doings.
Wouldn’t it be better to consult him before dragging him into the work of our hands? In doing so, we might save ourselves a heap of heartache and disappointment on the front end of a long labor.
Regardless of your current building project, God is with you. Whether you started it in vain or whether you’ve sensed his fingerprints from the very beginning. God doesn’t abandon us mid-stream. He may not be a fan of our plan (and therefore calling us to change course), but God has and always will be a fan of our hearts. He understands that we won’t always get it right. That sometimes we let our dreams about “building something bigger” eclipse his dreams about “building something lasting.”
And I don’t know how you stand on the issue, but as for me, I’m after a “something” that is going to last. God determines the size of the building, and whether it is a big thing or a small fraction of that big, it will be a perfect fit into a perfect plan that constructs a perfect kingdom within a perfect forever.
I can live with that. Indeed, I can run with this one. Thus, I’d better get out of these pj’s and get on with my moving on. God’s got something to build through me; you too. And while we may not be able to see the fullness of the plan in this moment, we can be confident that there is one. May we all have the good sense and willing heart to sit before our Father this day and ask for it rather than assuming our wisdom and strength enough to build it. Thus, I pray…
Forgive us, Father, when we think ourselves worthy of building our lives in isolation. Your hands build everlasting. Mine build to dust. Keep me mindful and humble of the chasm between the two. Keep me thankful for the grace that covers my willful ignorance accordingly. Amen.
PS: Whew… that’s a lot of saying for someone who doesn’t have much time today! That being said, I believe someone needed to hear it. I certainly did. If you want to take further time with this concept, please read 1 Chronicles 17 and see what God might be saying to you about your current “building” project. Mine looks a whole lot like a WIP (work in progress) near completion, but that’s another post for another day. Shalom.
This is something I try to remind myself of daily – that all my efforts are in vain without Christ. Even with daily chores of homemaking I try to keep in the spirit of doing it as unto the Lord.
I found it interesting in studying this chapter that in the beginning of the chapter God never gave a request to build a temple…one of the commentaries I read noted that David couldn’t rest in his dwelling knowing the ark of covenant was sitting among curtains. I would imagine he would, from a human perspective, believe it would not be protected there and so he wanted to remedy that. However, the ark was where God intended it to be at that time…He would protect it…all God-centered.
While pondering on that thought…I thought, where has got set up my ark? In my heart? So…I must keep his temple “in my body” healthy so I can effectively be His hands and feet while I am in the world…healthy eating, exercising, sleeping. This fragile, yet wonderfully resilient, tent he has given me 🙂
I’m one who needs to hear it as that is a struggle we have here-wanting to run ahead and build our future without always asking God what his plan is for us.
Thank you so much for keeping me up on the progress of your WIP! I am so excited for you and I know God will bless it–be patient!
thanks for coming by…
had to blog about this too! thanks for giving me today’s devotion 🙂
I’m headed to 1 Chronicles 17!! Wow! That spoke volumes to my heart, Elaine. Sometimes I do really well listening and obeying and other times….I run ahead(no pun intended!). Thank you, precious one!! I’ll be sending you some pics later of our beach trip! Amazing!
Hugs,
Susan
There is a tendency in this world of total, instant gratification to plunge ahead…then to ask God to bless our mess! I have been guilty of this myself, so your post definitely speaks to me!
Bless you, my friend! :o)
I love this post.
It reminds me that things that I do on my own merit without God’s blessing are relatively fruitless.
If I spend my time building things that are in line with God’s plan for my life, that will be the ultimate success.
Thanks for taking the time to share this today!
By the way, your collard green comment on my blog was hilarious! I used to live in NC and I had the perfect visual of how everything went! 🙂
I’ll confess, I’m a runner-aheader!!! Thank you for the encouraging admonishment, a Word of Truth filled with grace in the delivery.
Love you,
lalee
What a great post! My first thought after reading the first few sentences was just the point you made as I read on, “Yes, we are all busy building something, but are we building the right things?”
So often I know I run forward thinking it must be what God wants because it’s good and right, etc. I find later when I finally get around to consulting God that yes, it’s good and right, but it isn’t where He was leading. I’ve got to learn to consult first and then build. Maybe one day I’ll get it right….
This beats with my writing yesterday as well as the writing coming forth on Thursday.
Letting Him do the building….
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Indeed, the call to intentional living is clear and loud. Some days I ignore it entirely, as if it’s a squawking bird. Other days I listen so intently I would prefer not even to breath lest I somehow obscure it.
His voice, that precious Shepherd’s voice we know so well, will ever lead us if we’ll but hear Him out.
I’m so glad you decided to stay awhile. He used your voice again!
Kathleen
Elaine, not exactly sure why I’m in tears over this post…but, I am.
“…sometimes we let our dreams about ‘building something bigger’ eclipse his dreams about ‘building something lasting.'”
Wanting to surrender any building to the Carpenter from Galilee,
Joy
I have sent a pastors wife/friend over here to be fed. Pastor’s wives need this—as you well know—from giving of themselves all the time…your spot is like a cool drink —she told me she was hooked!
Just wanted you to know you are blessing ladies far and wide!!!
There is a building project in our heart. It has been there for almost 18 years. We have prayed often if this was His desire…and to take the desire away if it was not from Him. Like you said…just because it sounds good to us does not mean it is His will for us. Yes, you said it better but that is the gist. 🙂
So we are being still…not pushing doors…letting Him lead us to the door and letting Him open it for us to walk through.
We want to know for sure..by silent time and rest before Him…that when it happens the Spirit is the one driving the plans.
Because if the Spirit is in it…it will not fizzle.
Good thoughts…and yes, necessary thoughts!
No kidding Elaine, that was a lot of words in a short amount of time…but then you were “building” on some very sound principles to deliver the reminder to all of our hearts.
It reminds me of the saying “don’t sweat the small stuff”. In reality God is right there with the small stuff, smaller one man tents are just as important to make HIM a part of.
My day is just being a home body trying to catch up around my home, my desk, spring cleaning and asking myself how all this matters, when in fact it’s tent time, and time to be tidy with God right there smiling that my heart is mindful of His presence in my life. Thanks for sharing.
Oh – I am soooo glad that you TOOK the time to write this. I loved this part the most because it is just what God wanted me to hear today.
"God doesn’t abandon us mid-stream. He may not be a fan of our plan (and therefore calling us to change course), but God has and always will be a fan of our hearts. He understands that we won’t always get it right. That sometimes we let our dreams about “building something bigger” eclipse his dreams about “building something lasting.”
Thanks for sharing the TRUTH – I LOVE the OT so much and both 1 & 2 Chronicles are so applicable for today!
Choosing JOY,
Stephanie
[Walking – Before the Lord]
Ok this post brings me to confession time so with my head even lower in bow then it was earlier (smile) I will now go before the Lord.
I will also read 1 Chronicles 17 while traveling on the plane Friday. I will mark it now. Love you Elaine and thank you for speaking VOLUMNES OF TRUTH! Sometimes the little bit (or should I say a lot) that the Lord gives you to share is more than my mouth full of teeth can chew on all at once so I have to bite little by little and INGEST it all in and hopefully use it for GOD’s glory.
I appreciate you dear sister.
Blessings of joy and peace to you .
Thank you for your post it has been a very long time since someone has moved my spirit in such a way as Edith Schaffer did the first time I read her writing.
I am so glad you are here.
I love the way you remind us that we are not to be earthly bound but heavenly aiming.
I do not want to labor for myself. One day I will see Him in the fullness of His glory. My works for Him are filled with imperfection, the touch of the hands of my flesh. I offer my best, but often my offerings are not as they should be.
I made a poor choice several years ago, and from that choice flowed much pain and many tears. It was not a sinful error, just something that wasn’t right for me, not in God’s perfect will. Since then, I have so tried to search my heart before taking on a project or new responsibility.
Even so, I still make mistakes. Like the Apostle Paul, I sometimes find myself what I do not want to do, and that which I long to do I do not do.
But thank God for His mercy and grace. When I drift too far into the river, He reels me in, knowing I’m in above my head.
Thank you for your beautiful words. May we all strive daily to walk in the spirit.
Blessings,
Andrea
Oh, friend, these words were for me:
“We build and then we ask and then we wonder what went wrong. Why isn’t it working? Why isn’t the all-consuming fire from God descending upon our precious altar of hard work and sacrifice and causing it to burn with all the fervor and purpose of heaven? Why do the offerings of my brother or my sister’s heart seem more pleasing to God? Where is my payoff for doing something for kingdom?”
I’m letting Him reshape my desire.
YOu are so precious.
Wow, this was awesome.
Yes, unless He builds, it is all in vain…
Great thoughts today. Gosh, that was awesome for just having a few thoughts!!!!!!
Hi Elaine, it is so nice to be back here and read your inspiring post.
I am your 100th follower. 🙂
That’s me… always trying to “help” God… and He’s too much of a gentleman to tell me outright that He doesn’t want my so-called “help”… He gives me my way… and when I come to the end of myself.. and submit my will to His… then He whispers in my ear and shares with me His hearts desires…
This is an awesome post, and I am glad I stopped by today. My husband and I have prayed and prayed over a recent job decision, and thought we were obeying and following God’s will, and preparing ourselves for a potential move. And it now looks like my husband (who was one of two finalists) was not chosen. We are in a little bit of schock because so much of this move seemed to us to be just what we needed.
I like your comment about God loving our desire but not necessarily our plan…God’s hand truly seemed to be all over this move with doors opening left and right, and we don’t really understand the why, but I’ll remember to stand firm that God is working and moving in ways we can not see.
Blessings to you today!
Lindsey
Hi Elaine! Yes, I can get busy doing “God’s work” in a heartbeat. Thank you, precious friend for entrusting me with your hopes and dreams. I’m storming the gates of heaven with you in prayer for your work.
With school ending and finals starting, I haven’t been on here in a while. But today I decided with all my business(I have a test in about twenty minutes) that I needed to spend some time with Him. Since your blog is always so deep and encouraging, I decided I would stop here…I am so glad I did. This was exactly what I needed to hear! Thanks for being faithful to His voice. Your obedience allows me to hear the things He wants to say to me!
wifeforthejourney:
How I struggle with the temptation to plan and build and THEN hope God blesses my work. It is a habit I have found hard to break; yet the Lord still shows me His grace even when I’m not waiting on Him the way I should.
There is a very real difference in how things go when God is leadign me rather than me trying to lead Him 🙂 !
Love you,
Billy
My heart cry as well, Elaine. I want to build what LASTS, and under His guidance and direction. I wish it weren’t as easy to focus on the temporal things, but it certainly is! Thank you for this reminder to build for Him and WITH Him.
Greetings Mrs. Elaine:) I want my life to be a work from Him too, not my own agenda. Whatever He tells me to do and for how long He tells me to do it until He wants me to do something else I have to be obedient. I want to make sure that my affirmation as a person who is “important” comes from Him. All His children have purpose-to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever…this post has made me think…
Blessings,
katiegfromtennnessee
Elaine, you have a beautiful way of expressing your thoughts even when you don’t have much time to write. I so desire to have Him lead and me follow. Recently I’ve enjoyed some sweet blessings when I’ve built on His solid foundation. And I’m ever so thankful that He is with us and does not abandon us even when we do *things* the wrong way.
An extravagant recipient of His amazing grace,
Lora
“And while we may not be able to see the fullness of the plan in this moment, we can be confident that there is one.” That confidence is hard for one like me. I like to see the big picture – the beginning and the end. Which often takes me on my own construction project. It is difficult to step back or even step away from the good I am building – when I realize it is not what He wants me to be constructing.
Oh, if I would only seek the Master Planner first. Imagine the aspirin I would save!
Shalom,
Denise
Ah! I LOVE this, Elaine. So glad you took the time to flesh out (hmmm … maybe that’s not the right term!) what your spirit was receiving.
You wrote, “As Christians, we’re tempted to think that “If we build it, He will come.” Isn’t that (sadly) so often the truth! Instead of seeking the Lord’s guidance and obediently building according to His good will, purpose, and pleasure, we too often barrel on ahead with our own “good” ideas, and then we pray for Him to bless our shoddy constructions!
Such an important and timely admonishment, sister-friend. 🙂
Reminds me of making my own Ishmael instead of waiting for God’s Isaac.
Well-said.
My friend, I am catching up with your post as my schedule has kept me so far behind. I too have been reading in I Chronicles and your post brings fresh to my mind my memeory verse for this week: I Chron. 18:9-10 (my version) “And you, [my daughter Pamela,] acknowledge the God of your fathers, and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind. For the Lord searches EVERY heart and understands EVERY motive of your thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by your but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. Consider NOW, the Lord has chosen you for [this ministry]. Be strong and do the work”.
No matter what we are doing, how we are presenting ourselves, we have to be willing to let Him lead the way.
Awesome post friend!!