Building According to Specs

S - Luke 6:46-49 (NIV): "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

O - Jesus is the message from heaven, the Gospel, the exact picture of his Father.  His words were not his own (John 12:49-50) and his words were NOT limited to things "spiritual" and "eternal".  Jesus speaks plainly about money, daily bread, enemies, forgiveness, judging others, etc., all things of earth.  He instructs his followers of his priorities and his desires for our lives here not just here after. So, the question of Jesus remains: why do you call me Lord and then ignore, deny or excuse yourselves from what I plainly say?  Can we really throw another human being "under the bus" of needing to succeed (secularly or religiously) and think all is well?  Can I worry about and run after what I'm going to eat, wear and store up and not have it drastically hurt my soul, my relationship with God and the building of my life on earth (Matthew 6:25-34)? Jesus' question to Nicodemus remains connected to this picture of wise and foolish builders: how will you believe me about heaven if you won't believe me about earth (John 3:12)?

A - Like the spiritual leaders of Jesus' day most of the leaders of my day don't really believe Jesus and his Father about earth.  They claim to believe. They talk about the kingdom and heaven and hell … but their lives betray the truth that they do not believe Jesus about earth.  As a result I was trained to do the same; to very selectively believe Jesus about earth and to always reserve the blinders of "knowing better" than he does about how "it really works on earth."  I am not angry or unforgiving toward those who taught me this because it's what others taught them; and they were doing the best they knew. According to Jesus, when the blind lead the blind they both end up in the ditch.  The REAL issue for me is the beam, the plank, the 2X4 in my vision.  How will I live today on earth? Will I believe the words of Jesus about earth and not just about heaven?  Will I do what he says or simply continue to give lip service to his Lordship? I will say yes to the person and words of Jesus about heaven and about earth. I will build according to his specifications. I will do what he says. 

P - Lord Jesus,

Thank you for calling me/us to yourself and not just to a place or a principle.  Thank you for being the message and for giving specific instructions about how I am to work with you in the building of my life on earth.  I admit that my primary purpose today is loving you and my neighbor. I admit that the work is believing you and that the only ensign of being your disciple is loving. I admit that I cannot run after what I'm going to eat, wear and store-up and follow you at the same time.  Today, you are already working with your Father and already have in mind what you're going to do.  I accept your grace-filled invitation to work with you.  Lead on, teach on, transform my little life.

I love you back,

Steve