Hi everyone,
Have you ever had the experience of building a house of cards? The idea is
pleasing enough when we start out. There is something about carefully
placing each card that is satisfying, especially as we start to see our
structure grow. Our smile starts to broaden as we observe and think, “Wow,
such tenuously placed paper-thin cards and yet they don’t fall.”
And then…….
Well, you know.
Perhaps it happens when you are putting on the last card to form the roof.
Or maybe it occurs when you get greedy and you decide to expand your already
complete structure. Whatever the case, you place that card and…….your
house of cards crumbles.
I had an experience like this during this past week. For quite some time I
had been placing “cards” carefully in order to build up something and then
it just seemed to crumble. In the moment I was quite discouraged and felt
frustrated and disappointed. What occurred robbed me of my sleep and the
next day I felt wrecked and weak.
And that was really good…..because it called me to prayer.
I’ve had “houses of cards” fall before in my life on numerous occasions. As
much as I hate to see them crumble, such experiences drive me to my knees
where I must seek the Lord’s face with an earnestness that was not present
before. How fragile we are. How little control we have. How quickly our
structures can crumble. How important it is for us to recognize these truths
and go before The Lord with empty hands and say, “Help.”
Are you building a “house of cards” right now? Pray over it with great
earnestness even if you think it stands strong and is going well.
Have you had a “house of cards” crumble recently? Pray over it with great
earnestness, even though it is in ruins.
We must not loose sight of the fact that the greatest hopes we have for this
life are in God’s hands and He may be the One who knocks the “house” over so
that we can start again with a deeper dependence on Him or in a way in which
He receives greater glory.
This week’s house-crumbling reminded me of a verse:
“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the
LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” – Psalm 127:1
Unless the Lord.
Unless the Lord.
Unless the Lord.
Commit all things to Him. Remember that you are dust. Give Him all the
glory.
For Him,
Rob