“But each one should be careful how he builds.” (1 Corinthians 3:10b)
Have you thought of yourself as a builder? By that I am not referring to a contractor who constructs houses or assembles machines but someone who builds the kingdom of God. Does your life mission look beyond your ongoing activities and plans to consider their potential impact for eternity? They can, as amazing as that sounds, but only if you build upon the right foundation.
My wife, Arlene, and I enjoyed a day cruise to the Bahamas one winter during a vacation in Florida. It turned out to be an ideal day to travel on the ocean in the sunshine and relatively calm waters. On my way I pictured an island full of busy resorts, packed beaches and overcrowded markets. What we saw instead when we arrived caught me off guard. The entire island had been devastated by one of the major hurricanes that hit the entire region just months earlier. As we drove to the business area with other passengers from the ship we saw building after building boarded up because of the storm damage to them. As a result, tourists were staying away from the island and the economy was in a major downturn. At the same time however, it was interesting to note that the large resorts were operating normally appearing to be untouched by the natural disaster. Business was booming. What was the difference? I believe that the way the different buildings had been constructed determined which ones stood secure during the storm. The solid foundation of the structure was the key to its stability and ability to endure.
That’s a good metaphor for building your life. What are you basing your dreams and plans on? Do you have the eternal goal in sight? For if you are not careful how you build you could wind up losing everything you’ve worked for when it is eventually evaluated by God on judgment day. You could wind up with nothing to show for your efforts if you do what you do for the wrong reasons which in essence, is building on a faulty foundation.
How can you keep your priorities straight? What will assure you that your foundation is the one that is eternally secure? The answer is found in a person. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) It is clear that everything you do must centre on Christ who is your solid foundation.
There are other foundations that you may be tempted to build on instead of Christ:
1. The foundation of the material - what you give for Christ
2. The foundation of the ministry – what you do for Christ
3. The foundation of the method – how you work for Christ
4. The foundation of the message – what you say for Christ
5. The foundation of the man – who you follow for Christ
It is obvious that these can be good things, but none of them are to be the thing that you build your life upon. If you do, you risk losing everything you thought would last. Jesus is the only foundation that is eternal and fully trustworthy. Whatever you do for his kingdom purposes will stand the test of time no matter what may happen to you. Always be sure that the mission of your life is about him and you will be going in the right direction.
I encourage you to check your foundation today. What are you building on? Is Jesus the focus and motivation for everything you do? Are there things that you have come to rely on more than Christ for your eternal security? If so, it’s time to replace them with trusting Jesus as your solid rock and firm foundation in all things. Be sure that Christ is the centre of every thought and decision. When you do, you can have confidence that what you do build with your life will last far beyond your days on earth.
Pray this with me to further clarify your life mission:
“Lord, it is tempting to build my life and ministry on things that are temporal. Help me to focus on those things that are eternal. My desire is to trust you with all that I am becoming and will be. I want to hear the words “Well done” from you on that final accounting day because I have built with eternity in mind and Christ at the centre. I acknowledge that this is only possible by your daily grace for which I thank you. Amen.”
DW
Have you thought of yourself as a builder? By that I am not referring to a contractor who constructs houses or assembles machines but someone who builds the kingdom of God. Does your life mission look beyond your ongoing activities and plans to consider their potential impact for eternity? They can, as amazing as that sounds, but only if you build upon the right foundation.
My wife, Arlene, and I enjoyed a day cruise to the Bahamas one winter during a vacation in Florida. It turned out to be an ideal day to travel on the ocean in the sunshine and relatively calm waters. On my way I pictured an island full of busy resorts, packed beaches and overcrowded markets. What we saw instead when we arrived caught me off guard. The entire island had been devastated by one of the major hurricanes that hit the entire region just months earlier. As we drove to the business area with other passengers from the ship we saw building after building boarded up because of the storm damage to them. As a result, tourists were staying away from the island and the economy was in a major downturn. At the same time however, it was interesting to note that the large resorts were operating normally appearing to be untouched by the natural disaster. Business was booming. What was the difference? I believe that the way the different buildings had been constructed determined which ones stood secure during the storm. The solid foundation of the structure was the key to its stability and ability to endure.
That’s a good metaphor for building your life. What are you basing your dreams and plans on? Do you have the eternal goal in sight? For if you are not careful how you build you could wind up losing everything you’ve worked for when it is eventually evaluated by God on judgment day. You could wind up with nothing to show for your efforts if you do what you do for the wrong reasons which in essence, is building on a faulty foundation.
How can you keep your priorities straight? What will assure you that your foundation is the one that is eternally secure? The answer is found in a person. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) It is clear that everything you do must centre on Christ who is your solid foundation.
There are other foundations that you may be tempted to build on instead of Christ:
1. The foundation of the material - what you give for Christ
2. The foundation of the ministry – what you do for Christ
3. The foundation of the method – how you work for Christ
4. The foundation of the message – what you say for Christ
5. The foundation of the man – who you follow for Christ
It is obvious that these can be good things, but none of them are to be the thing that you build your life upon. If you do, you risk losing everything you thought would last. Jesus is the only foundation that is eternal and fully trustworthy. Whatever you do for his kingdom purposes will stand the test of time no matter what may happen to you. Always be sure that the mission of your life is about him and you will be going in the right direction.
I encourage you to check your foundation today. What are you building on? Is Jesus the focus and motivation for everything you do? Are there things that you have come to rely on more than Christ for your eternal security? If so, it’s time to replace them with trusting Jesus as your solid rock and firm foundation in all things. Be sure that Christ is the centre of every thought and decision. When you do, you can have confidence that what you do build with your life will last far beyond your days on earth.
Pray this with me to further clarify your life mission:
“Lord, it is tempting to build my life and ministry on things that are temporal. Help me to focus on those things that are eternal. My desire is to trust you with all that I am becoming and will be. I want to hear the words “Well done” from you on that final accounting day because I have built with eternity in mind and Christ at the centre. I acknowledge that this is only possible by your daily grace for which I thank you. Amen.”
DW