THE GREAT CONTRACTOR
Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
Psalm 127:1 (NLT)
I love architecture. I'm often drawn to beautiful designs, colors and landscaping. Most people who buy a newly built home do so because they don't know how to build one themselves. So why do we try to build our lives without a blueprint? Jesus is the only one we can trust to build our lives well, from the foundation to the finishing touches.
I remember one time thinking I could build my life while the Lord sat back and approved. I thought I had the blueprint; I just needed Him to agree that my way was best. I found out quickly that life was not only stressful, but it also never turned out how I wanted. Time after time, my house kept collapsing, and, in His faithfulness, the Lord forgave me and kept nudging me to let go of control so He could build His house. Hard work, long hours, independence, limited knowledge and planning don't lead to long-term stability. That comes from God alone. When we take matters into our hands, we take the place of the Lord in our lives. When you leave the building process to God, He may not build things as you imagined, but you can trust that the building will be better than you ever imagined. Let's surrender the tools and blueprints to Him.
APPLICATION: Have you been trying to build your own house and life plans, only to see that they're not going as expected? Ask God today to give you hope and encouragement with His plans for your life.
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for being trustworthy with the details of our lives. Thank You for having wonderful plans for our lives that are good for us. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?