Everyone knows concrete is that hard gray stuff that you build basements and foundations out of right?
I work in construction, in this community, I building things; Being a Christian in my job, trying to follow Christ every day, reminds me of this “construction” verse in the bible:
In the book of Hebrews, it says in chapter 3 vrs 4 that
“every house is built by someone, BUT, God is the builder of everything.”
I get to see God working in my life every day, and so do you, just sometimes we don’t realize it.
About 10 years ago, you could say I was NOT a Christian; I did NOT trust in God for my daily provisions, or expect Him to answer prayers.
One day, 10 years ago, while working on a construction site:
I was in charge of everything, I had to pour a concrete foundation, I had planned out the schedule, I was in control, I knew what was to happen next, I was making the money, and I was getting things done on time… Or so I thought.
My job that day, ten years ago (when I was full of pride!) was to plan everything; I was ready for the big concrete pour. I had all the people in place to wheel the concrete and finish it smooth. It was cold and snowy, and I had tarps and heaters ready to keep the concrete warm, I was right on schedule; ready to pour the concrete.
OH NO, I forgot to order the concrete truck! Now you just can’t get a concrete truck to come the moment you snap your fingers. It was TOO late, I had forgot, I made a mistake. NO Concrete truck would come right away. I was going to lose lots of money, people were going to be disappointed, the schedule would be delayed for days, and workers would have to be sent home. I was going to be embarrassed in front of the boss (my Dad). There was nothing I could do, it was hopeless.
Wait!
Could I pray? I had never prayed before? Would it work? Was it in Gods will?
I prayed to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for the first time in my life. He was gracious; He wanted to receive the glory.
It was a true Miracle, to this day I still know He answered my prayer; I called the concrete company and they told me a concrete truck was on its way right away. Praise The Lord, He cares about us when we work at our jobs; He wants to build our faith.
Ever since then God has been using my work, combined with His word (that is, when I keep reading my Bible) to reveal Himself to me AND He has been using me at work to reveal Himself to others.
Wait!
What’s the other story? I said two stories right? The story about the second concrete truck?
Well, it was a cold snowy winter morning, just last month. I was praising God on my way to work, remembering how “in the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth”. How He was in control of when it rained or snowed. And I was marvelling at how beautiful the new snow looked on the trees. As I drove down the road to my job site up north, I couldn’t help but thank God for all.
We were pouring concrete again that day, last month, and everything was in place, people were in place to wheel the concrete and finish it smooth. The tarps and heaters were ready to keep the concrete warm, the schedule was going perfect; ready to pour the concrete. AND I had remembered to order the concrete truck this time. God is good.
OH NO!
The last road wasn’t plowed, it was covered in beautiful, Truck Stopping SNOW! NO Concrete truck would get through that road. I was going to lose lots of money, people were going to be disappointed, the schedule would be delayed for days, and workers would have to be sent home. Was I going to be embarrassed ? There was nothing I could do. NO Concrete truck.
Was it hopeless?
Wait!
I did pray that morning; God promised to look after me, This was God’s will, not mine, but His will. He is sovereign. He had taken away a concrete truck that day. I suppose He’s allowed to do that.
I was humbled, He was Glorified
Had my foundation been taken away; the concrete blocks and miracles that God had showed me over the years? No, Our faith has been built on nothing more and nothing less than Jesus Christ Himself. Trusting in God is continuous, in times that may look good, and in times that might appear bad.
God can choose to answer prayers with a Yes or a No; it is not about us receiving the glory but about Him. Remember what Book of Hebrews says “Every house is built by someone, BUT God is the builder of everything”
My faith, and your faith, should not be built on our experiences, or the success of our business or school work. God is not defined by how well our day went. Our God is great; Our God loves us, whether He answers our prayer the way we want or not.
Praise The Lord, He cares about us when we are at work; He wants to build OUR FAITH.