Stone upon stone
God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home. (Ephesians 2:20-22)
Irrespective of how we got here. Some of us got here by searching for something of significance in our lives, while others got here at the end of a long rope, just about to hang themselves out to dry. Regardless of 'how' we come into the family of God, we are a family and a family needs a place to dwell. We dwell in the presence of God - each of us making up 'one stone' in this great building. I used to think I could stand alone, but one stone does not make a building!
Built by God - not by human hands or schemes. This is important for us to recognize because our pride would want to make us think we were the ones doing the building. We think we are the ones doing the changing, coming into conformity to the principles taught by God. The truth is the lessons that lead to change in our lives are taught by him, but the 'practical lab' portion of the teaching is just us finding out he intends to give us the power to live by those same teachings.
All of us built into it - not one of us who calls upon the name of Jesus is left out of the building process. We have a place - we belong specifically where he places us. We may want to be the cornerstone, or even the stone that everyone sees first, but each stone is equally as important. I think this is a good lesson for us to learn - none of us stands out as 'more important' or of greater value than another. We are all equal in God's house - the thing God does in us make us all equal.
God is quite at home in this temple - how about you? Are you comfortable in what God is building? Have you settled into the place he has made for you? Are you secure in your placement? If you are, you find all the other stones around you are wondrous stones - each fulfilling their role in this great building. There is no more competition or need for 'one-upmanship' in this family. No middle child syndrome here! He is the firstborn - no one usurps that position. We are one of many - too numerous to count. Each perfectly joins with the other. We don't 'fit' because a few chips get knocked off here and there - we fit as we are. Just sayin!
Irrespective of how we got here. Some of us got here by searching for something of significance in our lives, while others got here at the end of a long rope, just about to hang themselves out to dry. Regardless of 'how' we come into the family of God, we are a family and a family needs a place to dwell. We dwell in the presence of God - each of us making up 'one stone' in this great building. I used to think I could stand alone, but one stone does not make a building!
Built by God - not by human hands or schemes. This is important for us to recognize because our pride would want to make us think we were the ones doing the building. We think we are the ones doing the changing, coming into conformity to the principles taught by God. The truth is the lessons that lead to change in our lives are taught by him, but the 'practical lab' portion of the teaching is just us finding out he intends to give us the power to live by those same teachings.
All of us built into it - not one of us who calls upon the name of Jesus is left out of the building process. We have a place - we belong specifically where he places us. We may want to be the cornerstone, or even the stone that everyone sees first, but each stone is equally as important. I think this is a good lesson for us to learn - none of us stands out as 'more important' or of greater value than another. We are all equal in God's house - the thing God does in us make us all equal.
God is quite at home in this temple - how about you? Are you comfortable in what God is building? Have you settled into the place he has made for you? Are you secure in your placement? If you are, you find all the other stones around you are wondrous stones - each fulfilling their role in this great building. There is no more competition or need for 'one-upmanship' in this family. No middle child syndrome here! He is the firstborn - no one usurps that position. We are one of many - too numerous to count. Each perfectly joins with the other. We don't 'fit' because a few chips get knocked off here and there - we fit as we are. Just sayin!
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