![\"hand](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikehillebrecht.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/inbaby-hand3.jpg?resize=135%2C135\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
There was a saying we always told our newest recruits to recite should a customer ever ask them how long they had been with our company: \u201cI\u2019ve been around construction all my life.\u201d The intention was never to evade the question but rather to bolster the confidence of the consumer that they had selected a company who hired competent workers to build their project. If pressed, then the recruit could honestly say how long they had been with our firm; however, rarely was this ever followed beyond the initial inquiry.<\/p>\n
So, let me ask you a question: Can you honestly make the same claim? Have you been around construction all your life? Some of you might profess that you have no clue about construction and couldn\u2019t tell the difference between a left-handed wrench and a right-handed hammer. There may be some of you who dabbled in the industry while going through college or during summer break, but that has been ages ago and your profession of choice has long since replaced the callouses on your hands that hand cream couldn\u2019t soften.<\/p>\n
It is possible that the honest answer for those of you I\u2019ve pointed out would be a resounding No! However, honesty has a nasty habit of inflicting second thoughts. Look at the question again, not as what you think it says, but what it factually asks. It is quite possible you\u2019ve thought it asked have you worked in construction all your life, where it actually only asks if you\u2019ve only been around it. Think for moment\u2026who hasn\u2019t been around construction? Just drive down the road, you are bound to pass at least a couple of projects \u2013 it might even be the repair of the road itself.<\/p>\n
Okay, so we can agree that you, just like me, just like everyone on the face of this planet, has been around construction all their life, right? But is that still the whole truth? Is there ever a time when you might not have been around construction? This is foundational (every pun intended here). If you don\u2019t think so, then take a gander at these writings.<\/p>\n
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ: even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:<\/em> According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise master-builder I laid a foundation; and another builds thereon. But let each man take heed how he builds thereon. For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.<\/em> Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which you have given me: for you loved me before the foundation of the world.<\/em> Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,<\/em> Before the foundation of the world. Foundations are construction projects of the highest concern. Entire structures, even planets, are supported upon them. Principles are foundations, as are beliefs and values, where entire societies rise and fall on their ability to endure the storms and turmoil which assail their foundation. Regardless of how society is moving, there is a construction project you where around before you were even around. In other words, your life, the eternal life you have, not what you\u2019ll hopefully have one day, but do possess right this very moment, has always been in the foundational love and grace of God, expressed in Jesus, the Christ. Paul even claims that you are still a work in progress. You\u2019re not closed for construction as might be thought by many, you are still opened for construction.<\/p>\n There is a lot of talk these days going around about people being in deconstruction. My take on it is pretty simple: Foundations take time to prepare. Paul was pretty clear, there is only one foundation: Jesus Christ. Jesus\u2019 foundation was pretty clear: God loves him, and he want us to experience it. Deconstruct that. You can\u2019t because it is a foundation laid in grace.<\/p>\n Whatever you\u2019ve been through in this deconstruction process of yours (and I\u2019ve been through a lot myself), you are going to find that the BS you\u2019ve lived in, walk through, and spewed, which may have been for your entire life \u2013 all of which now seems like such a total waste of your time and energies \u2013 might seem like the structure or edifice, but it\u2019s not. In the foundation business, it is merely loose dirt being excavated to reach solid ground. Your best strength and support will never be seen by anyone. Foundations are always buried. You\u2019re not as built-up in your most holy faith as you might have thought you were, thankfully, you\u2019re just deep \u2013 deep in an eternal love. It\u2019s foundational.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There was a saying we always told our newest recruits to recite should a customer ever ask them how long they had been with our company: \u201cI\u2019ve been around construction all my life.\u201d The intention was never to evade the … Continue reading
\n(Eph 1:3-4)<\/em><\/p>\n
\n(1Co 3:10-11)<\/em><\/p>\n
\n(Joh 17:24)<\/em><\/p>\n
\n(2Ti 1:9)<\/em><\/p>\n