Perhaps one of the greatest hurdles we all face each week is the temptation to just "make it" through another day. It is true enough that American life now is more hectic than ever, and all of us have more to do than we can get done. We seem to begin each day with good intentions . . . "I will take time to pray today" or "I'll read the Scriptures later as soon as things slow down" or "I'll try to be more loving towards my family and friends today." Somehow, though, we seem to get overwhelmed in the large and small demands of daily life.
Remember throughout this week: you and I are in the process of construction. We're putting together a life, building our character, and nailing down the expressions to be voiced in our future eulogy! The life we build with the materials and time God provides is the only life we'll ever have. Think about this......
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told the contractor who employed him of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but now was the time to retire. They could get by, he said. The contractor told the old carpenter he was sorry to see him go. He asked if he would build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said, "Yes," and he began the task at hand. However, in time it was easy to see that his heart was just not in his work. He cut corners, settled for shoddy workmanship, and used inferior materials. It was a very unfortunate way to end such a dedicated career.
Eventually, the carpenter finished the house. When the the employer came to inspect the house, he handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "What's this for?" he asked. "This is your house," the contractor said. "It's my gift to you for all those years of hard work and sacrifice." The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known during the last project that he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
Well, that's the way it is in life with us Christians, also. We're in partnership with God building a life. He's purchased our lives on the cross, filled us with His Holy Spirit, graced us with varied and sundry talents and spiritual gifts, assured us a future, adopted us as His children, and providentially provided us with opportunities to serve Him every day! Someone once said that what we have is our gift from God; who we become is our gift back to Him.
When you are faced with the temptation to take shortcuts in life this week or integrate junk parts into your life, DON'T DO IT! With HIs help, be faithful to build on a solid foundation, use quality materials, and give it all you've got. God will help you as you do!
God bless you.
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2000
Remember throughout this week: you and I are in the process of construction. We're putting together a life, building our character, and nailing down the expressions to be voiced in our future eulogy! The life we build with the materials and time God provides is the only life we'll ever have. Think about this......
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told the contractor who employed him of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but now was the time to retire. They could get by, he said. The contractor told the old carpenter he was sorry to see him go. He asked if he would build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said, "Yes," and he began the task at hand. However, in time it was easy to see that his heart was just not in his work. He cut corners, settled for shoddy workmanship, and used inferior materials. It was a very unfortunate way to end such a dedicated career.
Eventually, the carpenter finished the house. When the the employer came to inspect the house, he handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "What's this for?" he asked. "This is your house," the contractor said. "It's my gift to you for all those years of hard work and sacrifice." The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known during the last project that he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
Well, that's the way it is in life with us Christians, also. We're in partnership with God building a life. He's purchased our lives on the cross, filled us with His Holy Spirit, graced us with varied and sundry talents and spiritual gifts, assured us a future, adopted us as His children, and providentially provided us with opportunities to serve Him every day! Someone once said that what we have is our gift from God; who we become is our gift back to Him.
When you are faced with the temptation to take shortcuts in life this week or integrate junk parts into your life, DON'T DO IT! With HIs help, be faithful to build on a solid foundation, use quality materials, and give it all you've got. God will help you as you do!
God bless you.
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2000
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