Building Blocks for Eternity

I’m sure many adults can remember innocent times when they played with toy, building blocks in their early years of childhood development.  Whether small, cube shaped blocks with numbers and letters on them, or log cabin blocks, the imagination of a child soared with adventure and pleasure in the pretend world of their making. 

Forts and castles were built to house miniature, plastic replicates of army men and Knights of the Round Table.  Tinker Toys and Rector Sets were also fun toys to build with.

Children achieved their goal through trial and error until the structure they were building met with their expectations and final approval.  Though a challenge at times to build, the end result was rewarding and worth the effort they put forth.  While playing for hours in their make believe settings, the structures served the purpose for which they were built.

Life holds a similar challenge when building a dwelling to house the Holy Spirit.  We are His dwelling place.  It will be worth the effort that we put forth in building a strong and worthwhile habitat that meets with God’s expectations and approval.

I am reminded of the story, “The Three Little Pigs.”  It was one of my favorite books to read as a child.  One little pig was a wise builder, while the other two were not.  The two unwise pigs paid the ultimate price for their impetuous, half hearted, and inexcusable efforts when building their houses.

When the true test of confidence came, the big bad wolf huffed and puffed and blew each of their houses down.  It was too late then for the two little pigs to rethink their shortcomings and failures when building, as the wolf gobbled them up.

The first pig built his house with straw and the second used sticks; substandard materials to build a safe house for dwelling.  The walls couldn’t withstand the intensity of the forces imposed on them by the wolf.  Great was the fall of each house and sad were the losses.

Only one pig out of the three survived the aggressive attacks from their predator, the wolf.  This wise, little pig took time and effort to use approved building materials to construct his house.  His choice of materials was bricks and mortar.

It was hard work and took a lot of focused energy to achieve his goal, but when his house was completed, the wise little pig could sleep soundly at night.  He knew whatever came his way could not harm him.  No matter how hard the wolf blew on the outside of the house, the little pig was safe inside.

Whether carefully erecting play structures out of blocks as a child, or building a secure house like the wise little pig; it takes thought, effort, and a determination to follow through with the task in order to build a suitable structure that more than meets the need. 

There is no excuse for any person to have 20/20 hindsight or regrets when it’s too late, because God provides not only the proper building blocks to build a strong house, but the blueprints as well—the Holy Bible.  Anyone desiring safety and a wonderful hope of eternal life in heaven needs to consider God’s way of construction.  All we need to do is use what God has provided and He will do the rest.

Our spiritual house must be built strong and with care.  When we allow God to help us make the right choices as to what materials to use, a well built house is a sure thing.  The success of our structure is dependant upon whether or not we choose to build on a firm foundation rather than sinking sand. 

By laying up substantial, building blocks on a solid foundation, any person can withstand the heaviest offensive from a tempest that blows in their direction.  No matter what’s outside trying to devour them, spiritually, as long as they built their structure with the proven building blocks of life, no threatening foe has the power to consume them. 

When the devil attacks with his huffs and puffs and roaring threats, they are ineffective, because his deceptions and attempts to devour us are thwarted by the Holy Spirit.  Every deceptive effort from Satan is futile.  There is safety within the walls of a well constructed, God approved safe house.  

When we comprehend the unbelievable strength that God’s foundation provides, and how it can sustain the heaviest of loads that we place on it, this is a giant step toward becoming wise like the one little pig.  This foundation that God provided is for all mankind—the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the rock of ages and the solid corner stone of every successfully built structure.

(Ephesians 2:19-22), “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” vs.20 “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,” vs.21 “in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,” vs.22 “in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

The structure is you and me, inclusive with every person that seeks to build a lasting relationship with God.  As we place one block upon another, having established the first course upon this firm foundation, all other blocks follow in turn with the mortar of the Holy Spirit serving as the bonding agent that secures each block in place.  He does this with loving care.

If any of the blocks are too rough or coarse to promote good bonding, God, the master mason, painstakingly works with each block making it ready for placement by smoothing out the rough edges.  He then places the finished product, gently in its perfect place.  God never rushes this process like the two unwise pigs.

As an example, God never feeds a newborn babe in Christ meals of steak and potatoes, but rather the milk of understanding, and then the mush of repentance, with the cereal of obedience following.  The meat and potatoes of living the life come next.  These are the building blocks for eternity.

When we finish the course and our Father in heaven calls us home to be with Him, we will live in mansions not made with hands.  We will walk on streets of purest gold and bask in the magnificent presence of Almighty God, for eternity.

While on earth our ultimate goal should be to build a dwelling place for Jesus, who made it possible for this promise of eternal life to be ours.  As we do this the Lord abides within us, keeping us safe, until God calls us home. 

This is the hope of every Christian.  It is a wonderful hope that gives confidence when the storms of life are billowing against us.  It will all be worth the effort that we put into building a strong dwelling place, with the building blocks for eternity, when we see God face to face and hear Him say, “Enter into the joy of the Lord, good and faithful servant.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd