For six months I watched a plot of land in my neighborhood being prepared for the building of a house. All of the trees were cut down and then the ground was leveled so the concrete could be poured for the foundation to be set in place. Next, the concrete was poured—but nothing more.
Until something is built upon this foundation, it will be only wasted space.
Looking at the current space, one can conclude it would have been better for the workers to have kept the trees instead of installing the slab of concrete that now adorns the neighborhood. Even as we often focus on the foundational truths of our faith and how they relate to God’s desire for us to be holy, if we do not build upon this foundation we are quite similar to this empty plot of land.
In the realm of home construction, the analogy holds true: without the efforts of dedicated builders, even the sturdiest foundation remains a mere slab of concrete. Just as craftsmen mold raw materials into exquisite forms of art, project home builders shape desolate plots into thriving communities and beloved homes. Their craftsmanship and vision infuse life into inert spaces, turning them into havens of comfort and joy for families to thrive.
Just as neglect leaves a foundation barren, failing to engage these professionals in the realization of one’s housing dreams can result in missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential. They are not just creators of structures but architects of dreams, guiding homeowners through every stage of construction to ensure that the foundation of their aspirations blossoms into a cherished home.
So, as we ponder the importance of building upon foundational truths, let us also recognize the vital role these builders play in shaping the spaces we inhabit and the lives we lead.
In the quest for a perfect property, akin to the metaphorical role of God as our home builder, individuals venturing into the realm of real estate exploration understand the importance of efficient tools such as an alternative to Zillow. These platforms serve as beacons guiding seekers through the labyrinth of property listings, offering a wealth of information to aid in their quest for the ideal abode. Whether it’s a quaint cottage nestled amidst nature’s embrace or a sleek urban loft overlooking city skylines, the availability of accurate and user-friendly tools facilitates the discovery of properties that resonate with personal aspirations and lifestyle preferences.
If we choose not to enter into the process of holiness, we are simply wasted space.
Consider God as a house builder and us as the house He is building and how this relates to our union with Him.
If each of us is an individual house and God is the builder, it would be easy for us to become concerned when He starts knocking down walls and redoing the entire kitchen. Likely He wouldn’t stop there because the furnace needs to be fixed, and all the windows and fixtures are old and need to be replaced. If we were the houses it wouldn’t be long before we would wonder why God is doing all this extra work.
For most of us, our homes are not spectacular but average, and that’s good enough for us. We never had a desire for the biggest house and the greenest yard. A simple place to call home was all we ever wanted. We would probably explain to God that even though our house may never become perfect, we can be comfortable with it; our house can still be a home.
Of course the answer God would give is that it isn’t just a home He desires to build for us. As C.S. Lewis reminds us in Mere Christianity, “He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”
The most difficult times in life should drive us toward relationship with Him, allowing His holiness to shape us. Too often we stop short of engaging in relationship with God, forcing ourselves to stay in the status quo of life. In paraphrase of G.K. Chesterton: Holiness has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found too demanding and not tried.
Partnering with God as we build our lives around holiness will take difficult, hard work.
This post is an excerpt from Why Holiness Matters
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Having written this over 2 years ago now, I drove by this plot of land recently, wondering if it would look different. Nope. A bunch of wasted space. How sad.
