Building A House

We’re at a point in our house build where you can’t see much that’s going on looking at the outside. Doors and windows were supposed to go in a month ago, but have still yet to arrive, which means siding can’t happen yet. It also means the basement had been full of water from all of the rain we’ve had, which in turn has delayed the floor being poured and the framing down there getting done. There has been some progress, though. The electric line is done, the plumbing/electric/HVAC are all roughed in and we’ve picked out flooring/cabinets/countertops. It’s slow progress.

But if I said that this process has been easy I’d be lying. The timeline that was set has been blown to pieces and nothing has gone how we have thought it would or should.

I’ve screamed and I’ve cried. And I’ve been extremely impatient. I want it all to be over. I want to be in my home and be able to hang things on my wall and look out at at my land!

And then I realize how building a house is so much like Christ growing us to build His church. Sometimes part of what others can see on the outside looks recognizable, but the inside is empty. We have to do the slow, tedious work of inner growth that tears open wounds and cuts fresh paths as we allow the Holy Spirit to start a new work in us. It takes time, it gets hard, and we want it to end. It makes us uncomfortable and longing for somewhere we can go to feel comfort and escape.

But God in His faithfulness keeps us in this place because He knows that the completed work will be beautiful and exactly what He desires. We will come through on the other side having an exterior that radiates Him and an inside that has the finishing touches He desires.

If you too are in a season of circumstances challenging you more than ever before and putting you in a place of deep discomfort and longing, know that on the other side it will be worth it when you seek His face through it. Do the hard work. Let Christ guide you. And become a beautiful representation of what His love can build.