Building Kingdoms

Scripture: By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.
1 Corinthians 3:10

The state of Tennessee is long and skinny and there is only one interstate that runs the length of Tennessee. So from Knoxville to Memphis Interstate 40 stretches out across the state. But if you are north or south of I-40 there is not a good way to get from where you are to Memphis. Our tax dollars have begun constructing a 4-lane road from southern middle Tennessee across the bottom half of the state to connect us with Memphis and beyond. We traveled this partially constructed road last Sunday and I marveled at how they lay out these highways.

They blast through rock. They level hills. They fill in holes. They build bridges. And reroute the existing road to try and avoid historic sites and farmers who have good representation in state courts. But as I rode along this massive unfinished monstrosity I realized that there were no little details. From the guy driving the dump truck to the crane operator setting the post for the bridge, there was no unimportant task.

That is the same with the construction of God’s kingdom. There is no unimportant role. There is no small task that God overlooks. He has a specific task for you to accomplish in your lifetime. Are you trying to find out what it is? I think about that road. The map-readers, the surveyors, the engineers, the truck drivers, the dirt movers, no unimportant job. I hope that you are not sitting comfortably in your salvation thinking that was all it was about. This kingdom does not build itself. God expects us to labor and work out our salvation(Philippians 2:12). [The fear and trembling part is you being nervous about sharing your testimony. Ha! Ha!] Your testimony alone may be the only thing that will bring someone to Christ. Your special talent may be what changes the heart of another.

We know how long road construction can last. It makes for delays in travel; it can be affected by the weather and all sorts of legal issues. The highway that God is building could be built without us helping. But the taking orders from the builder and listening to His plan is the part that He most desires. I hope that you have not lost sight of the job He gave you in the construction of His kingdom. It was an important task that only you can do. Oh listen I hear the beep, beep, beep! That is the dump truck full of blessings that He will dump out on you for being obedient.

Leslie Stephens
Winchester, TN

Prayer: God help us not to look to construct our own idols, but instead always be about your business of building up the kingdom of heaven. AMEN!

Prayer Tip: Ask God to guide you if you are unsure of your calling. Practice saying yes to service, it will come easier over time.

8-13-07