Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw- each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.
The Sichuan Earthquake in May this year shook not only the earth but also the very core of the nation. I still remember vividly, the heart wrenching news coverage of the devastation and rescue work. As the dust settles and normalcy returns to the city, I marvel at the pattern of destruction evident in the type of buildings that collapsed as well as those that remain standing. Why did some fall like a deck of cards while others were unaffected? How did some weather the quake whereas others were reduced to rubble? Did something go terribly wrong with the building foundations? My suspicions were confirmed shortly by an investigation team sent to root out the cause behind these building failures. It was reported that the collapsed buildings were built hastily during the economic boom and had structures that failed national safety standards. Tragically, most of these buildings were schools and other social institutions. And as the quake occurred in the afternoon not long after classes were in session, many of the casualties were children.
While we were back in Singapore last month, we had the opportunity to meet up with several old friends, some of whom are at a crossroad in their lives. While they are apprehensive about their present and future, they are also overly reminiscent about their past, which hinders them from moving on and growing spiritually. As I talked with them, Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 came to my mind.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Jesus has laid a foundation for everyone who believes in Him and what we need to do now is to put in our effort to build upon this laid foundation. Do we build with gold, silver and precious stone, i.e. building wisely, or do we build with wood, hay, straw, i.e. building carelessly? We need to give attention to how we build for the Day will come and disclose if we have been wise or foolish. Whether or not we can withstand the quakes of life does not depend on how much others have invested in us alone, but more importantly on how diligently we ourselves have been in building upon the foundation of Christ.
As 2008 draws to a close, let’s review and reflect on how we have been building upon Christ’s foundation. What materials are we working with? Materials such as hay and straw are cheap, plenteous and temporal and so does not require any prior planning or blueprint or even skilled labour. Materials such as gold and silver, because of their rarity and lasting nature, require more work in planning and design in order to bring out their beauty and quality. The task of building involves not only walking in step and submitting to those above us, but also to persist in what God has entrusted us with. Hard work alone is not enough, but we need to also calculate the costs, hire skilled hands and gather in partners for the task. (Luke14:28-30)
After a year of what felt like groping in the dark, discussing and executing various strategies, God granted us a new partner for the task of reaching this City. We believe God will bring forth more partners and may our work gain favour in His eyes. Pray with us for God’s guidance and a heart of persistence to continue to build according to His will and time.
