My House That Lies in Ruins

Here is the church
   Here is the steeple
       Open the doors
              Here are the people!

Do you remember that little song with hand motions from when you were a child?  (do they still teach it?!)  There is a deeper truth than people being IN the church - people ARE the church.  Not bricks and mortar; not whizbang technology; not hip contemporary Christian music; not programs... but PEOPLE!

At the end of the Day, it will be people that spend eternity with the Lord.

In his book, Don't Waste Your Life, John Piper quotes a sign that hung in his mother's kitchen:

Only one life,

T'will soon be past -

Only what's done for Christ will last.



When we talk of "building the church" what does that really mean?  What does it look like?  I can't help but think it is deeply rooted in the two commands that Christ - the Master Carpenter - gave us: love God and love others.

I have to ask myself - how well have I heard the heartbeat of the Carpenter?  Would I, like the returned Babylonian exiles, stand accused:

"Because of My house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house." 

~ Haggai 1:9c

Whose blueprint am I following?

My life is busy - but have I been following the Master's plan or have I been building my own house?  Have I been doing a quick-flip "Designed to Sell" makeover, or the deep renovation work needed in my heart?

"We live in a culture in which the interest and desires of the individual take precedence over those of a community.  As a result, a high percentage of people want to achieve spiritual growth without losing their independence to a church or to [a biblical community]... there is no way you will be able to grow spiritually apart from a deep involvement in a community of other believers.  You can't live the Christian life without a band of Christian friends, without a family of believers in which you find a place." [T. Keller ~ The Prodigal God]

I confess - I am quite American... so stinkin' independent!  So me!  I want to renovate in private - on my own time and according to my own agenda.  I don't need your help, thank you very much.

How not biblical.  We are called to community.  As believers, we are parts of a Body. Not ever intended for independent operation. 

Today, I am seeking to hear the Carpenter's voice... His plans, His instructions for the Body... and I am thankful for those who are doing the same.