In a world where entertainment is king, where fun is a requirement, where feelings are worshipped, where possessions indicate success and where holidays are the reward, what I am about to say may seem ridiculous to many…
Financially I have little. Physically I am in pain and battle sickness constantly. Emotionally I often have nothing to give. I don’t recall the last time I went on holiday.
But right now, today, I have to turn away from the workers on this building site as tears of joy flow freely. I am genuinely overwhelmed…
I am standing (in shorts & thongs of course) next to a machine I will be driving most of the day. I am looking at the workers, who are taking it in turns to pray for safety, for God’s leading, directing and giving thanks for all He has done. These workers are incredibly capable and could easily be proud of their capabilities, yet they aren’t – they give God the credit.
They will be working with dangerous machines, with rams that are pounding the ground they stand on (also in thongs 😂) and by the end of the day they will be working 4 metres up on a wall they are about to build.
The work they will do is physically demanding, they will have no time for rest, at times it will be raining and at others they will be trying to fight off aggressive bees. For a large part of the time, they will be centimetres from the machine I will be driving, where one small slip of my hand could end in disaster.
They will get no money for the day they are about to do, yet they are willing, dedicated and, actually happy. Watching them work as a team in this environment is absolutely mind blowing to me. They have a vested interest – they believe in the vision & purpose of what we are doing.
These workers, are far more than just that – they are my children.
I stand here, listening to the worship music, hearing their hearts as they pray and I remember where I have come from. The vastly different, disgusting attitudes, goals & actions of my old self at their age.
How can this be?
How has this come about? I only have One answer. His name is Jesus. To Him I will be eternally grateful. To Him I will be continually humbled. To Him I will always give thanks. About Him I will regularly talk – but not as much as I should.
I had nothing to offer this God who rescued me.
I was a broken mess. Unable to cope or live, let alone stay in a relationship.
I certainly had no ability to be a husband or dad: a complete failure, a selfish, addicted abuser… a true no-hoper.
Despite all that, Jesus rescued me, opened my eyes and started to reverse all my failures.
And, He has somehow used all my (and my wife’s) efforts… #foreverfaithful
We made many sacrifices to put Him first, to show our children who He is, to prioritise Him over what our culture says is normal or important.
It was incredibly hard at times, lonely and painful. We had much self-doubt, many detractors and at times, the whole journey seemed to be completely futile.
But as time has gone on, we have seen His faithfulness in every area – repeatedly.
And as the children have grown up, we can see the amazing adults they are becoming. In so many areas, they are *far* beyond what we thought was possible. We knew in concept, but had no idea that young people could get their identity from Jesus and from their parents so much so that they didn’t need the acceptance or approval of others (?!).
It looks *so* different to what we went through: they don’t want, let alone need to:
steal
use substances
date
break the law
hurt people
succeed at sport / knowledge
They really are *free* in a way that is amazing. Free to be themselves. Free to follow God’s plan for there lives. #thankYouJesus
I would encourage *anyone* – you included: put Jesus first!
He is the foundation for life, for marriage and for parenting. He is the Author of Life.
He can build your own identity, be the foundation of your marriage to thrive, protect and build your children into His image and be the sustainer of your whole family. And life. And eternity!
Lord, help us live for You, give us the vision, the desire and the strength to say no to the things of this world and live for You & Your Kingdom. Thank You for Your love and protection – and most of all for Your Son who took all our sin.
The last few weeks work: (3.6m high, retaining 2.1m: Concrete Footing with internal reinforcing rods.
