–UNDER CONSTRUCTION–
Mark and I went out to visit the site of our new home the other day. We’ve found that if we go on Sundays when the construction crew isn’t there, we can peek around unnoticed to check on the progress without being totally obnoxious.
As we were stepping over scrap wood and walking through sawdust, we noticed the obvious things that have happened since we were last there. The roof was on, the windows were in. The sheetrock had arrived but was still on the floor waiting for installation.
We found ourselves guessing (as true novices to this process) what would happen next and when that would take place. But our guesses had soooooooo little to do with reality and more to do with our wishes and naive expectations.
It was much easier to see what HASN’T been done than what has (to our untrained eyes). We are looking for obvious signs – shingles on the roof, walls on the studs, siding on the exterior.
But what we CAN’T see is so vital. Those things that have to happen in order for the visible changes to occur.
Permits. Plumbing. Electrical. Endless nuts and bolts, nails and screws. The systems and structures that we will depend on once the condo is complete.
I have to trust that my construction crew knows what they’re doing and that they will do things in the right order, whether I completely understand it or not.
The other day, I sent the foreman of our house project an email asking if we were still on schedule for having the electrical done by September 30th. This is an important date on my calendar because at this point, we will have our next official walk through, drywall will go up immediately after, and our condo should be complete within two months of that date.
I needed to know that what I was waiting for was going to happen.
His answer back to me made me laugh. “Yes we are still on schedule for September 30.” Simple question, simple answer.
But I wanted him to tell me more! I wanted him to say, “Hey, guess what? We are actually going to move that date up to September 15, and because we like you so much we’re going to have your house done by your birthday (at least a month early)!”
My wishful thinking to speed things up isn’t going to help it go any faster, no matter how bad I want it. Can you imagine if I tried to take matters into my own hands and finish the house myself to try and speed things up? Gah!!! Disaster in the making. I have to trust the process and the professionals and believe that every bit of work put in will get us to the goal of a beautiful new place to live.
If only my wishful thinking stopped there. But it doesn’t.
In the rest of my life I am waiting for beautiful things, too. I am the dreamer that sees my version of the big picture without any concept of the details that need to come together to build something of quality and value. I try to run in and accomplish it myself, deceived into the notion that I am actually in control of my surroundings. And, well, let’s just say the outcome is less than dreamy. I wind up frustrated and defeated and no further along than before.
But what if….
What if I trusted The Lead on the project that is my life? What if I could actually believe that the Carpenter whose working hands went to the cross for me, is still using those beautiful hands to mold and shape me? What if I truly understood that He is good in and above every sense of the word and that everything He is doing in and around me is marked with that same goodness?
In all my blatant humanness, I am looking for the obvious, outward signs of progress and change. But EVERY SINGLE DAY He is working on every nut and bolt of detail that takes place behind what I can see. In my circumstances. Inside me.
An Expert in His field, He will not stop until the project is complete.
Philippians 1:6 says it like this:
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Or in Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
And again:
“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.” Romans 8:28 (AMP)
My prayer for you today, friend?
That’s easy. That your trust would go a little deeper in this day. That you would know all the way down to your toes that God is good. That He loves you. That He is working. For YOU. In YOU. All the time. That He won’t stop until His plan is complete – AKA the rest of your life.
He is aware of every detail of this process that you are experiencing. And He knows the outcome. And it is so so good.
May your soul rest a little easier today as you soak in that truth.
xoxoxo
j
P.S. Before I could hit the “publish” button on this post, we received news that it is now possible that our place might not be ready until January. Something with PG&E issues. 🙁 I felt my big plans for Christmas in the new place slowly melt away along with my hopeful spirit.
So I guess it’s time to take my own advice all over again and realize that, even in this “setback”, the contractors are at work. GOD is at work. And I can practice trust with one more detail of my life…:-)
P.S.S. If you want to see the floor plan of the place we will eventually call home, go here…
