As another new year arrives, I have been challenged to consider
what I’ve started that still remains unfinished. Many of us like to build and
we all have a few unfinished “projects” that we constantly tinker with probably
more out of therapy or enjoyment than with an actual end in mind. Those are both
necessary and healthy. But I am talking about another kind of construction
project: what we are building into the lives of others – about how the next
generation of leaders will be impacted because of our labor.
A
couple of months ago, my wife bought a set of books on construction and
craftsmanship written in the early 1900’s for our middle son who is great with
his hands and has always been a builder. But as fascinating as their subject
matter, it is the inscription pasted in the front of each book that captures
our attention:
“When we build, let us
think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present
use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us
think as we lay stone on stone, that a time is to come when those stones will
be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as
they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, ‘See! This our father
did for us’” (John Ruskin).
While
you may be adding onto your home, building a fire pit at your ranch or sanding
down your latest project, I hope you will be moved by a century old inscription
as if the ink was still wet to consider what you are building into the lives of
others.
I
have a feeling we all have some unfinished “building” projects. Sacred stones
that still must be strategically stacked. Eternal truths that still must be
carefully constructed into the coming generations. Think about the incredible
impact you were meant to have on your children and grandchildren…your colleagues
and friends – all to the glory of God.
So
tell your story. Share your heart. Speak of God’s great love and faithfulness. Teach
Truth and impart wisdom. This is your legacy, and it’s a living one. For we are
“living stones” (1Peter 2:4-5) and each one of us must be careful how he builds
upon the solid rock of Christ’s foundation (1Cor 3:10).
“But
as for me, I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. My
mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and
of Your salvation all day long; for I do not know the sum of them. I will come with the mighty
deeds of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone. O God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still declare
Your wondrous deeds. And even when I
am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength
to this generation, your power
to all who are to come” (Psalm 71:14-17).
