Scripture: Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen guard in vain. (Psalm 127:1)
This week, our FIRST LEGO League robotics team informally started its season. Each year, children ages 9-14 all over the world form teams to design and build an autonomous robot that can solve missions on a game mat. Everything is made of LEGO pieces, of course! At the competitions, they will not only put the robot to the test, they will also have to show a panel of judges that their robot is sturdy and efficient, that it can withstand common mishaps without falling apart.
We all too, as adults, are designing and building, trying to create a better future for ourselves and our families. What does "better future" look like? For one person, it may appear to be economic stability, while for another, it may be more power or status. For another yet, the image of a better future may be a relationship. To achieve this future, we might do everything we can - take classes, work longer hours, or say "OK" to everything in a toxic relationship just to please the other person.
The Bible reminds us, however, that we must be careful about our building. For one thing, we need to ask God to do the building for us. "Unless He builds the house, its builders build in vain." Only with God as the Master Builder can our houses be sturdy, able to withstand the challenges that are sure to come. I might earn a multitude of degrees, make it to the top of the corporate ladder, and achieve whatever relationship I want, but without God, all my efforts will be in vain. Useless. Wasted.
Jesus tells the story of two builders in Matthew 7. The wise man built the foundation of his house on the rock, and when the rain came down, the streams rose up, and the winds blew on it, the house withstood the beating. But the house with the foundation on the sand fell with a great crash, when it encountered the same storm. Who is the wise man? He is the one who hears the words of Jesus and puts them into practice.
My first tendency is to build on my own, to work harder, to plan and scheme. These Scriptures remind me to whoa, slow down! Don't leave God out of the equation. How about you? Whatever future you are trying to build, ask God to be your Builder. Like the wise man, be sure your foundation is on the rock by listening to Jesus and putting His teachings into practice.
This week, our FIRST LEGO League robotics team informally started its season. Each year, children ages 9-14 all over the world form teams to design and build an autonomous robot that can solve missions on a game mat. Everything is made of LEGO pieces, of course! At the competitions, they will not only put the robot to the test, they will also have to show a panel of judges that their robot is sturdy and efficient, that it can withstand common mishaps without falling apart.
We all too, as adults, are designing and building, trying to create a better future for ourselves and our families. What does "better future" look like? For one person, it may appear to be economic stability, while for another, it may be more power or status. For another yet, the image of a better future may be a relationship. To achieve this future, we might do everything we can - take classes, work longer hours, or say "OK" to everything in a toxic relationship just to please the other person.
The Bible reminds us, however, that we must be careful about our building. For one thing, we need to ask God to do the building for us. "Unless He builds the house, its builders build in vain." Only with God as the Master Builder can our houses be sturdy, able to withstand the challenges that are sure to come. I might earn a multitude of degrees, make it to the top of the corporate ladder, and achieve whatever relationship I want, but without God, all my efforts will be in vain. Useless. Wasted.
Jesus tells the story of two builders in Matthew 7. The wise man built the foundation of his house on the rock, and when the rain came down, the streams rose up, and the winds blew on it, the house withstood the beating. But the house with the foundation on the sand fell with a great crash, when it encountered the same storm. Who is the wise man? He is the one who hears the words of Jesus and puts them into practice.
My first tendency is to build on my own, to work harder, to plan and scheme. These Scriptures remind me to whoa, slow down! Don't leave God out of the equation. How about you? Whatever future you are trying to build, ask God to be your Builder. Like the wise man, be sure your foundation is on the rock by listening to Jesus and putting His teachings into practice.