The Master Architect and Builder
God is a Master Architect and Builder. The way He puts His
plans together is just ingenious. He says "For I know the plans I have for
you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give
you hope and a future. And then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me,
and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with
all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13
He starts with a sure foundation- one that is planted on the
Rock which will not be washed away by every wind and storm. That Rock is Jesus.
If we believe and trust in Him we will not be moved. He rejects imperfect,
flimsy materials and replaces them with His perfect sturdy ones. For me, He has
used trials after trials to harden that cement to the foundation. By His grace,
I’m not going anywhere regardless of the storms. He knows exactly how long it
will take. I would have thought that in my case this would have been over and
done with by now, but His timing is perfect, because it’s all for His glory. In
time, I will see the finished product, and it will glorify His name for His
goodness, mercy, patience, and great love for me.
Think of the story of Joseph. Through all of Joseph’s
terrible experiences, he showed unshakable faith in God. As a child, God gave
Him a glimpse of the future, but Joseph didn’t really understand what the
dreams meant. He would never have imagined what was to come His way. First of
all, he was his father’s favorite, and that caused hatred and resentment from
his brothers. They rejected him, and when he came looking for them, they threw
him into a pit, and sold him into slavery. I can just imagine what Joseph must
have been feeling- the horror of being treated this way by his own brothers,
and now a slave. What was to become of him? Joseph could have become resentful
and angry, but not so. Instead we see him being a good servant to Potiphar, so
much so that he puts him in charge of his household. When Potiphar’s wife came
on to Joseph, he honored God and Potiphar, and made the right choice to refuse
her. The result of this decision put him in jail. Can we make that same
decision even if it would put us in jail, or cost us our lives?
While in jail, Joseph still refused to be bitter or angry.
He continued to bring glory to God. We don’t know how long Joseph was in jail,
but his behavior was so honorable that the chief jailer gave him a position of
responsibility in the jail. The story continues….. Then the king’s baker and
cupbearer were thrown in jail. After a while, both received dreams. God showed
Joseph the interpretations of the dreams. The cupbearer would be reinstated at
his job, while the other would be put to death. Joseph reminded the cupbearer
to remember him and mention his name to the Pharoah, but Joseph’s name was
forgotten. Regardless, Joseph still had faith in God. Even though God may seem
silent, He is always up to something wonderful. God was designing a Master
Plan. At the appointed time, and not before, Joseph was released and brought
before Pharoah to interpret his dreams. Pharoah was so impressed by Joseph that
he made him second in command. We know the how the story continues. God’s plan
for Joseph was such that it would involve saving a whole generation of people.
Because of Joseph’s steadfastness, God was paving the way for Him to deliver
the Israelites many years later.
I bet it didn’t make sense to Joseph, but Joseph trusted God
because God is the Master Architect and Builder. He designs and allows circumstances
that will strengthen us so our “walls” do not get broken down. It didn’t make sense as Joseph was going through
it, but God is the Master Architect. He is always up to something, and if we
trust Him, we will one day understand.
There is a story that goes like this: One day, a pastor went
to visit a family who lived in the middle of a booming oil district. As he
greeted this family, he noted how sad and dejected they were. The man said
“Pastor, God has forgotten us. Oil was found in this area. Engineers came and
assured everyone we would all be rich. They dug in my neighbor’s yard to my
right, and found lots of oil. They dug
in my other neighbor’s yard to the left, and found oil there too! They sold
their homes, moved to the city, and we were left here alone.”
A few years later, the pastor returned to visit this family who
had no oil on their land. The father was smiling this time. And so, the pastor
assumed they had finally found oil on their land. But the man said they never
found oil there. This took the pastor by surprise. The man said “The strangest
thing happened. All our friends moved to the city and bought big expensive
homes and new expensive cars. Their children went to the finest schools. Most
of them joined the fanciest country clubs. But it wasn’t long before their
lifestyle took a toll. Their marriages broke up. Their children rebelled and
left the church, caught up in the fast life.” He continued “Pastor, God did us
a favor by not putting any oil on our land. We are still together and very
happy. We thank God every day for giving us what is really important, and
protecting us from things that aren’t”- for building up, and tearing what needs
to come down. God the Master Architect was at it again!
Several days ago, my friend sent me a sermon. After getting
ready for bed, I decided to end the day by listening to it. It was a moving
story about how a little boy endured so many trials while being true to God. He
demonstrated so much strength as he endured horrific pin and adversity. I was
mesmerized, and deeply involved in the book, when I suddenly felt something
warm running down my chest. When I looked, I was surprised to see blood pouring
down. Immediately I called Tony. By this time, blood was squirting out- seemed
like a pipe burst! I made my way to the bathtub, but instead of panicking, I
did something very strange. I can’t explain why, but while holding a towel to
my chest. I raised the other hand and shouted praises to God. Tony must have
thought I was nuts, but at that moment, I knew God was up to something. I can’t
explain it but I was filled with the Spirit of God telling me to praise!
This is how He is so wonderful- He knew I would need
strengthening to get through this ordeal, so at the right time I received that
powerful sermon to strengthen me. When we couldn’t stop the blood, we decided
to call 911. Fire Rescue was on the scene first. They wrapped the wound
tightly, then gave me saline as I had lost a lot of blood by this time. The
place looked like a massacre scene, as those of you whom I’ve shown the picture
can testify! The paramedics were there soon after. I thank God I could be a
witness to both by reciting favorite Scriptures like the 23rd Psalm,
by being calm, even smiling, and making jokes during the ordeal. So, from what
I’m being told, tumors are vascular, consisting mostly of blood vessels, one of
which burst. Yikes! That was week before last Wednesday. I stayed in the
hospital until the Sunday five days later. During that time, I was showered
with care and affection from family members, church members, and friends. Many thanks
for the beet/celery carrot juices, green juices, cards, flowers, food, phone
calls, texts, and outpouring of love for me. I am so blessed, and I thank God
for each one of you.
Many times when we find ourselves in these situations, we
sometimes get mean, bitter, angry and resentful, and say horrible things to our
caregivers. Not so with me. I was so thankful for the care, and made sure they
were greeted with a smile every time they entered my room. I don’t want to come
across as being boastful, but the first nurse I had when I was assigned a room-
she happens to be a friend of my sister- actually told my sister how positive I
was. She said if she hadn’t read my charts she would never have known that I
had a serious illness. To God be the glory!!! We need to be positively
representing Him at all times- even in the difficult times. You see, like Joseph,
I know God is up to something. I’m not quite sure yet, but I know He’s
orchestrating something that will bring glory and honor to His name. This He
wants to do in all our lives. He wants to do a major reconstruction in us. Some
walls may need tearing down, or strengthened. Some materials may need to be
replaced by stronger, lasting ones. The ceiling may need expanding so we can
soar to new heights. The width may need to be widened because we are too
confined in a box. He’s even very interested about the furnishings more so than
even the exterior. We must be built up on a solid foundation, upon the rock
which is Jesus. "I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. For
no man can lay a foundation other that the one which is laid, which is Jesus
Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:10b-11). "...but you are fellow citizens
with the saints...having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole
building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple of the
Lord..." (Ephesians 2:19b-21). He is building us to become the image of
God.
God is big into detail- just look at the plans He gave Moses
to build the Sanctuary, or to Solomon to design the Temple! We are His Temple,
so how much more does He want to execute His plans in our lives. At times, it
is difficult and painful, and I can’t hear His voice. Nevertheless, I know He
is near, and His Word clearly says that He will never leave me or forsake me.
There is no turning back for me. I’ve come too far to turn back know, as the
old song goes. In the midst of all the excruciating pain I have many days, I
turn my face towards heaven and just praise. I remember that “He doesn’t give
me more than I can bear, but with every trial provides a way so that you can
endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.
So my friends, continue to stand and wait on the Lord for
Him to execute His Master Plans and Renovations in each of us. For He is the
Master Architect, and He holds the blueprint of our lives. Let God do things
His way and in His time, because His ways are set up just perfectly for Him to
receive the outcome and the glory that belongs only to Him- for Him to
construct a masterpiece!
My prayer:
Dear Lord, forgive me for locking the door to my heart. I
give you the keys so you may come in and do all the building you need to do.
Tear down what is unlike you so I may be designed into the masterpiece you
created me to be.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
