Unless the Lord build the house...

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I frequently see the remnants of an old structure around Sylacauga and wonder who built it and if this is what they thought their work would come to. It’s a humbling experience to think that no matter what your work or contribution to this world may be, we are only 2 generations away from being little more than a memory. I saw this chimney over behind the high school and Psalm 127:1 immediately came to mind. “Unless the Lord build the house, the builders labor in vain.” All the work and care that built this house finally gave in to the way of all human endeavors. All that’s left is a piece of the original to remind us that something significant once stood there. A home that was once someone’s respite from the world. No longer.

We all want to believe that we have worked for something, and made an impact of significance. But the truth is, if the Lord was not the beginning, middle, and end of any endeavor, we labored in vain. This brings another passage to my mind. Matthew 6:19 gives us a warning. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.”. Jesus is subtly trying to point out the disappointment that awaits those who are materialistic. Time or the sinful schemes of man will always spoil our best efforts to own stuff, or build a reputation with possessions. The only work that lasts is that which is done in service and for the glory of our Heavenly Father.

Without doubt we have daily tasks that must be done and repeated that seem to have no spiritual significance. I think about this when I’m cutting the grass. It must be done, and all too soon it will need to be done again. Like washing dishes, or laundry, making beds and scrubbing toilets, it is an odious repetitive cycle. There is no job that I know of that is done once and then forgotten forever. So where do we find the diligence for these tedious tasks? Colossians 3:23 says that we are to do ALL things heartily, as unto the Lord. I think this is especially true of the hum drum every day thankless tasks. It infuses any task with purpose and power. When we think of the joy of the recipient of our labors our satisfaction in these things grows. Great is the joy of those who serve the heavenly Father with great exuberance in even the most menial tasks. Remember this as you worship on Sunday morning. Remember it as you wash dishes. Remember it as you drive your kids to the 10 million things kids need to be dropped off at and picked up from. I am at work for the giver of all good gifts, the savior of my soul! This is my offering.