The Master Architect and Builder

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 23^rd 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.