Construction Ahead

When you live in the Dallas Fort Worth area you can count on one thing – construction. Currently we are surrounded by road construction efforts. It seems that everywhere I want to drive there is some type of road construction happening. The other day I was meeting someone for a lunch meeting at a restaurant near one of our construction projects. I got there a little early so I sat in my truck and watched the men working on the project work. That is one of my favorite things to do actually. I have always been fascinated by construction. I love the tools the machinery and seeing a project slowly come together into something useful.

One of the things that are fun to watch in construction is the difference in the two basic roles of the workers. One group is responsible for the construction of the new building, house or highway. Another group is responsible for demolition. You know the tearing down of something so that land can be cleared or a path can be made for something new to take its place. Demolition is also fun to watch.

I know there is more planning to demolition than it appears, but it looks like they just start pushing things down, moving things over, digging things up, cutting things apart until the object is completely torn down and removed from sight. It is hard work.

On the other hand the guys on the construction side seem to move at a different pace. They measure, survey, test, draw plans, meet with various environmental groups and then they start their work. As they work, everything is done in a very deliberate way. They dig hole at a precise spot to a specific depth. They take out dirt and bring in gravel. They level the ground. And they work day after day. They continually refer to the plans and drawings. Everything has to be done just right. These men are professional builders and construction workers. When they finish the job you and I have a brand new highway to drive on.

As much as I like to watch the demolition I enjoy the construction phase even more, because they are building something and not just tearing it down. It may not be true, but it appears that those who tear things down are not as careful and deliberate as those who build things up. Which brings me to my point this week -
I want to encourage you to be involved in construction or the building up of people. It seems today that too many of us are active in the demolition or tearing down of people. I know people who go to work every day for weeks and years and never hear an encouraging word. I know children and teens that go to school everyday and never hear a positive comment made concerning them or their work. I know people who claim to follow Jesus who never seem to see the good around them and they are quick to tear down those around them. Christ followers are to be in the building up business. We are to build up one another and encourage one another. Leave the demo to Satan. God’s people are builders!

So as you go through out this week look for those people who have suffered a demolition attack and do what you can do to build them up. Who knows, you might be the answer to someone’s cry for help. Now get out there and build something.

Love God. Love Others.