It is interesting to me to see the various building blocks used throughout the readings today.
I talk about strategy and plans all day at work but I know at the end of the day, when it is all said and done, nothing matters more than to have God’s favour. He is my greatest building block, my cornerstone.
And the Lord said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your plea, which you have made before me. I have consecrated this house that you have built, by putting my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time. – 1 Kings 9:3 ESV
God’s Word is another building block for me. Spending time with it is important, but obeying it is my greatest challenge and adventure. Solomon gets it too, so much so that he actually knows that He has violated what God wants and yet still pursues another path.
Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter up from the city of David to the house that he had built for her, for he said, “My wife shall not live in the house of David king of Israel, for the places to which the ark of the Lordhas come are holy.” – 2 Chronicles 8:11 ESV
Another building block has to do with discipleship or the act of being a disciple. A simple definition that involves the head, heart and hands of every follower of Jesus stares at me today.
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matthew 4:19 ESV
Prayer is the last building block and it is no secret that it comes out of the Psalms. Something a little bit different and yet of incredible relevance to me these days.
Whatever the Lord pleases, he does,
in heaven and on earth,
in the seas and all deeps.
He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth,
who makes lightnings for the rain
and brings forth the wind from his storehouses. – Psalm 136:6-7 ESV
This reminds me so much of the prayer Jesus taught us to pray. As I am trying to live in the realm of the kingdom of God, my prayer life is trying to put these building blocks in play. God is in control and I need to invite Him more and more into my life so that He can take the building blocks and make something of me so I can serve Him as a vessel of honour.
Father, You put life in me to bring You glory. May I have the blocks built into my life so that You can move me and shape me into the follower that can glorify and lead others to You. Amen
Erwin (evanlaar1922)
Sixty-six books in a year 