There’s a house being constructed directly behind mine. Each day, I watch the progress as the workers settle the land, pour the new foundation, and begin framing the walls. I always think about the courage of the construction workers. Their work may seem routine or mundane, but they really are brave souls—climbing dangerous heights, working with high-powered machinery, and skillfully realizing their designer’s plans.
In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul uses a similar image to remind us of an important truth. He says, “If anyone is in Christ, he or she is a new creation; the old has gone, and the new has come.” This “new creation” that Paul talks about means that in Christ, we have a new settlement, a new foundation, an entirely new frame. We are just like that new home—masterfully designed, carefully constructed, and thoughtfully built up, each and every day, by our Creator. 1 Peter 2:5 says it another way, “You are like living stones being built into a spiritual house.”
You are a spiritual home being constructed by God; what an incredible truth!
As we all know, though, there are so many things that can become little wrecking balls in our lives. There is so much, especially in today’s cultural climate, that attempts to destroy God’s good work, so much that tries to demolish us.
What do we do when we feel emotions like fear, weariness, or confusion? When we feel like the world is being torn apart?
How should we respond when our circumstances weigh so heavily on our hearts that we can’t see beyond them? How do we deal with it when we become stuck in fear or emotional turmoil? How do we look forward when so much around us is changing? When our circumstances feel uncontrollable?
Just like those construction workers in my backyard, it takes courage to stay faithful in seasons of chaos and confusion—it takes courage to realize our Designer’s plans.
A few years ago, I was battling some wrecking balls of my own, and I desperately needed courage to stand firm. So I came up with an acronym for the word COURAGE: Christ-Centered, Overcoming, Unashamed/Unafraid, Restorative, Authentic, Growing, Encouraging, along with a series of questions and truths. If you need some courage of your own, may the COURAGE acronym strengthen you:
Friend, you are chosen by God. You are his precious possession. You are his beautiful child. You are his new creation, his spiritual home. And thankfully, we’re all still under construction.
Now is an invitation from God to take courage.
This season may feel uncertain and scary. But rest assured: the Faithful Builder is at work skillfully restructuring and remodeling your life, your heart, and His world as part of his perfectly designed plans.
His firm foundation is stronger and more powerful than anything trying to knock us down.
Build your courage in Christ—and you will always stand firm.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/vchal