Building for Life
Most of you know that here at Evergreen we are building Phase III of our physical plant. We are calling it our “Ministry Center” hoping to be able to “minister” to our congregation and community in many ways. The construction process has been both interesting and challenging.
When plans were first submitted to the Building authorities, they were sent back. The structural strength had to be increased to more than normal because our wooded location could cause a heavier than normal snow accumulation. We certainly wanted our building not only to be attractive and functional, but also strong enough to stand the stress that might come to it. We gladly complied with the rules of the code book. This meant that the first thing we had to do was strengthen the foundation so that it could carry the weight of the large supporting beams. These beams not only rested on the foundation, but with large rods and bolts, were securely anchored to it.
The Apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy tells “there will be terrible times in the last days” and gives a long list of the extra stress, pressure and temptations that will come to the followers of Jesus Christ. The parable that Jesus tells in Matthew 7 highlights the wise and foolish builders. Every builder knows the importance of a solid foundation, but the foolish man did not pay attention to his foundation and so his efforts were all in vain. The wise man made sure he had a firm foundation and was well attached to the solid rock and his house withstood the storm.
More important than any man-made building is the life that each one of us is building! If we want to be able to withstand the winds and storms of adversity that will surely come in one way or another, then we better pay attention to our “code book,” the Bible, and be sure that we are firmly attached to the “solid rock,” Jesus Christ!
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24
-Pastor Marks