The Essential Building Blocks
Any kind of building project requires thoughtful planning. As we currently work to do some house renovations there are a myriad of details to attend to. Inspections to be done. Plans to be approved. Services to set up. Contractors to hire.
It is not a venture to go into lightly. We want a place that is both functional and attractive. Without forethought and planning, the end result could be a disaster. At times, the task feels daunting as we have to live for years with the choices we are making now.
King David had a dream to build a great temple for a permanent home for the Israelites to worship God. It was a massive undertaking and one God did not want him to complete. The task would fall to his son Solomon instead.
As the work begins, he shares these words:
“Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God.” (1 Chronicles 22:19 NIV)
The Israelites, under Solomon’s lead, are taking on a massive building project. Yet David doesn’t speak of building permits or supply sources. He is not talking about manpower or leadership. Instead, David points us to the crux of the success – putting God first and foremost.
Our lives are to be bathed in God’s purpose for us. We can discern what that is by doing what this verse from Chronicles indicates – devoting and seeking. To devote ourselves to something or someone means to give it a good portion of our time and energy and even at times our resources. Devoting ourselves to God means concentrated time in worship and the Word to gain a deeper understanding of God’s purpose for us and to gain His direction.
If we are seeking the Lord, it means actively looking. In a building project, that means, putting the Lord into all the plans. Now to be clear – that is not us making plans and hoping that God agrees with them and gives them success. It means that we sincerely ask God to guide every step of our plans and stopping us from making poor decisions.
Many times, I have made what I thought were great plans and I sincerely hoped that God would bless them. That is putting the cart before the horse, as the old expression goes. David’s words to the workers building the temple were to put God first – in every moment of every building task.
Perhaps you have some major life decisions to make or projects to complete. Maybe there are relationships to mend or ministry opportunities to consider. Whatever is coming on your plate needs to be brought to the Lord first. If He is the center of your life, your path may not always be the easiest one, but it will be the one where God is present and blessing your efforts.
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