I spent a lot of time these past few months thinking about the idea of building. I live in a fairly new neighborhood, and new houses seem to be going up just about every day. I spent about a month preparing teaching lessons for kids that surrounding the idea of building their faith in Jesus. Then, I spent two weeks teaching them these lessons. I’ve been pouring over the book of Proverbs, and certainly not coincidentally, Proverbs 14 starts off with this idea of building. Like many of the Proverbs we’re already looked at together, this one poses two opposites for us to consider.
So, let’s take a look!
“The wisest of women builds her house,
but folly with her own hands tears it down.” Proverbs 14:1
Here are our two options: We will either build our house or tear it down. That’s it. In everything we do, say, think, etc., we’re either building it up or tearing it down. Which will it be for you?
Rarely do I think about my home as a place of ministry, however it’s nothing but that. My first calling before anything I do outside of these walls is to love and serve my family well. This is my life’s work right here. I don’t have to travel anywhere to serve the Lord. It starts right here. So, in my attitude, speech, actions, and everything else that my life produces within these four walls, is the result a stronger building or a weaker one? Are my efforts building up or are they tearing down?
Proverbs 14 reintroduces us to two women again: Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly. Wisdom builds up. Folly tears down. So, again I ask you today: which will it be for you? Will you be known as someone who builds others up with your life or will the effects of your life result in the tearing down of that which surrounds you? Let’s run together towards being builders in Jesus’ name.
“The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.” Proverbs 14:11
A mantra that has seemed to really mark my days as of late is this: “I don’t just want to survive. I want to thrive.” While this isn’t a biblical saying, it certainly holds some biblical principles in that Jesus died so that we could have abundant life. When we choose to walk according to the Spirit and not our own flesh, we begin to experience a life that flourishes in the abundance that Christ died to give us. We become builders. Our lives serve to build others up in love as we build the Kingdom of God here on this earth.
That’s what I want, friends. I want to be a builder. I want to befriend Lady Wisdom. I want to be wise. Let’s make a choice today to refuse to tear down with our words. Why don’t we just start there? Instead of speaking words that will tear down the hearer, when we open our mouths today, let’s speak words of life, words that build up the heart of the hearer. Let’s choose wisdom in our words today, and we’ll start to see the thriving in life become an increasingly reality around us.
Ginny says
So good Cherie! And a timely reminder for me as I get busy pulling together the schoolwork for our homeschool starting in August. This is my ministry right now. I have been feeling unmotivated and overwhelmed but this timely word gives me energy and focus. Thanks Cherie!!
Carmen says
You are such a beautiful writer! This post is so timelt for me to confirm some things the Lord has been telling me about building. Thank you for this post. Love your style!!