building the house...match the bricks!

I was in construction work for a while and during my brief time, I helped build a few houses and remodel others. One house I remember in particular we built from the foundation up. We got to the point where the outside brickwork was to be completed and one of our sub-contractors was being used. A big truck pulled up and unloaded enough pallets of bricks to complete the job. The bricklayers went to work and started laying bricks, hoping to get a lot done before the day was done. We went back to the trim work on the inside and after about three hours the bricklayer came to my boss and said, “You’ve got to come and look at this.” We all went outside and to our surprise there was most of the front of the house completed, but one thing was wrong. The brick company had unloaded two different types and colors of brick, and the bricklayers had put it up not even thinking about it. It wasn’t until most of the front was done that it became very clear. It didn’t match!

After much discussion on the phone, and some red faces, the brick was taken back down and the next day they started again with the right brick. No matter how much work had been put into the bricklaying, the fact that the brick didn’t match nullified the whole thing.

In 1 Peter 2, Peter says to rid ourselves of the many different things that look normal on those who don’t know Christ. He then says to long for spiritual milk, or nourishment, so that we will grow in the godliness we received through the Holy Spirit when we accepted the Lord. He continues to tell us how this is possible by explaining that Christ is the cornerstone of the “living stones” and that we are all living stones also. As living stones we are joined with Him, the living cornerstone, to build that spiritual house. That way when people look at our house the bricks match! No mistakes, no teardown and no redo. MATCH! He also quotes a promise in scripture from Psalm 118:22 that shows that people will miss this until they realize how precious this stone, Christ, is.

We are all building something — it may be a reputation, a lifestyle, a witness, or whatever. We need to remember to build it right from the foundation up. The house that is built will be right if we build it according to the plans set before us through God’s Word. That way when people look at our lives, they will not be looking at two different bricks, two different styles. There is only one acceptable style and it is God’s style. Long for that style and let God build your house to glorify Him. Believe or not, that house will sell to those looking for a good house investment. Why? Because there is no depreciation on the worth of what was done to build that house. Think about it...and live it. It’s worth it.

The Pilgrimage continues....

David Warren