How many times have we been in a hurry to get somewhere and found ourselves stuck in a slow moving line of traffic going through a construction zone? For some reason road construction in Fort Collins seems to be a city sport. Now, mind you, I am thrilled that the city keeps our roads in great shape but between the delays in construction zones and the slow moving trains through town it does get a bit exasperating. That’s why I think the Lord used the situation to make His point to me this morning.
Do you ever feel like your life is one “long” construction zone? Does it seem like every day some part of your life is being torn up and repaired or replaced? If your like me, it’s easy to forget the reason for that…
Prov 16:4(a) The Lord has made all things for Himself…
These words from Solomon are so true, and so are these from John:
Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
If we, as Jesus’ bride, have committed ourselves to His care, then we have also committed ourselves to His pleasure. And part of His pleasure is to ensure that we become all that He created us to be. Sometimes that’s hard for me to keep in mind when all the construction is taking place, even when I know in my spirit that…
Ps 145:8-10 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 10 All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee.
Everything that happens to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose are out of His love for His creation. That’s why when the construction is taking place on a day when we really would rather be getting on with our agenda, we need to stop banging on the steering wheel and take a deep breath. If we will, we’ll get through the construction zone in His time with a pot hole or two repaired. On the other hand, if we try to take a side street and go around the construction the work won’t get done and the problems will only get worse; the pot holes will get bigger and deeper.
Construction delays are for our benefit, even if we don’t see the benefit. Everything that happens to us as His bride happens for a reason. Everything exists for God’s pleasure and (amazingly) we are the central piece of His “everything.” Therefore it’s incumbent upon us (required of us) that we slow down while the construction is taking place, realizing that Jesus has our best interest at heart.
I love the way Pastor Jon puts it… the degree to which I live for my Lord today is the degree to which I’ll fulfill the reason for my existence. Do you want to become all you were created to be? Do you want to live a rich full life, living out your days being drawn ever closer to your bridegroom? Then you might want to stop trying to find a way around the construction zone, slow down, and be patient. Remember, one day you will find yourself passing a different sign and what a day that will be!
