On Building for Eternity
November 2, 2008
The story is told of an elderly carpenter who was ready to retire. He told his employer of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter agreed, but in time it was easy to tell that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career. When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front door key to the carpenter. “This is your house” he said, “my gift to you.” The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. What does this series of events mean to you and me, West Broad and friends? Simply that you and I are also in the building business. We are building our spiritual houses and laying the foundation for our eternal destiny each day. God tells us quite explicitly, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10, NKJV). Christians are “driving nails and sawing lumber” each day, but this is a long-term endeavor. Some of us are enthusiastic and energetic for years, but then enthusiasm begins to wane. Like the old carpenter in our story, mission becomes mediocrity and fervor becomes failure. We do just enough to get by, only to discover after death that we have only cheated ourselves. But all this can be avoided, friends. How? When it comes to faith, start with passion. Maintain that passion. And end with passion! -JLNJR
