dayFIFTEEN :: Builders and

A PILGRIM SONG OF SOLOMON

  If GOD doesn't build the house,

the builders only build shacks.

If GOD doesn't guard the city,

the night watchman might as well nap. 

It's useless to rise early and go to bed late,

and work your worried fingers to the bone.

Don't you know he enjoys

giving rest to those he loves?

Psalm 127:1-2 (The Message)

There is this story about a corn farmer named Ray who hears a voice in his corn field one day, "If you build it, he will come."  He then interprets this message as an instruction to build a baseball field on his farm, upon which appear the ghosts of infamous baseball players from the 1919 Chicago Whites Sox team that were banned from the game for throwing the World Series.  The field was built and the players came.

Now, our story's not so simple, but we are building something.  We are creating environments in which God can build His church...our church.  If God doesn't do the building, then we only build cheap shacks that won't last.  This was true for Solomon, maybe the most affluent king in Israel's history, and it's true for us today.  If we try to build disciples, we will only build mere shadows of what God wants in our lives.  We can't protect, but He can.  It doesn't do us any good to work harder and harder until we are worn out, only to do the same thing again, and again, and again.  God will give us rest.  He enjoys giving it to us.  Right now we work, and we work hard, but the rest is coming.

This is all why it is so important that we be spiritually positioned to begin our newest part of the journey this weekend.  God wants to move in the Springs.  God wants to build.  It's what He does.  We must ensure that we are moldable pieces of clay for Him to channel his blessings back to others.  

Toward the end of the movie, Field of Dreams, "Moonlight" Graham says, "You know we just don't recognize the most significant moments of our lives while they're happening.  Back then I thought, well, there'll be other days.  I didn't realize that was the only day."  Embrace this day, this venture.  Only a few of us will be able to look back in 10 years and say, we prayed for this to happen.  We worked for this to happen.  We knew it was big and we embraced the moment, and God built this incredible church out of this ragtag group of Christ-followers!

prayTODAY ::

Today, pray for the leadership team at the YMCA.  We are asking God to bless them and their ministry in this new facility.  They have done the task of building the building, now they are reaping some of the benefits of seeing people come into the building and begin their fitness journeys.  Jamie Scaffidi is the Executive Director.  Candace Rudy and Erin Shaw (Senior Program Directors), Kari Murphy (Office Director), Jennifer Tobleman and Steven Kelly (Program Directors), Blake Knight (Membership Director), Meredith Adcock (Executive Administrative Assistant), Brandy Taylor (Program Coordinator).  What great friends of The Springs!

You might even drop them an email and let them know you are praying for them today.  They would be encouraged.  Their email addresses are firstletterfirstname+lastname@ymcahouston.org (ex. jscaffidi@ymcahouston.org).