(This will go down as one of my favorites, the product of a discussion Frances and I had during a walk the other day.)
"Whatsoever. Or, Holy Ground"
Imagine two men walking together along a quiet country lane, one a preacher and the other an architect. Both are ardent believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who love their Lord and seek to live for His glory and will. During the first portion of their journey, the men discuss many matters of God, family, life, and current events. After a time, however, they forego discussion and begin to think within themselves about matters regarding their respective callings. The preacher ponders the outline of a sermon he will deliver on Sunday. The architect muses on the blueprint of a building he has been commissioned to design.
Question: are either of the men's considerations more spiritual than the other? Answer: no.
"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).
While the preacher's thoughts may seem more overtly related to God, the Bible affirms the architect's meditations as no less the product of the Holy Spirit's leading and enabling. "Whatsoever ye do" declared Paul, thus sanctifying all human activity that flows from hearts devoted to the glory of the Lord Jesus and the will of God. Our Heavenly Father involves Himself in every aspect of His trusting children's lives. "I will dwell in them and walk in them" He promises, thus sanctifying every pathway of life as holy ground whereupon the steps we take can shine with the presence and power of God (II Corinthians 6:16). Indeed, the architect contemplates and utilizes principles built into creation that speak of God: "the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made" (Romans 1:20). As a devout believer, he seeks the Lord's leading and enabling in his career. Thus, we can and should conclude that his ponderings - and ultimately, his finished project - no less flow with the current of piety than do the preacher's Scriptural considerations and sermons. "Unto the pure, all things are pure" (Titus 1:15).
This is glorious truth! Let us be sure to apply it to every experience, endeavor, and enjoyment of life. Our Lord is at hand. He is at heart, or rather in our hearts to dwell and walk in us along every pathway of life. The Light that indwells us shines forth from us as we devote ourselves to reflecting His glory anywhere and everywhere. Some aspects of life may seem more directly spiritual than others. The preacher has his place (hope so!). But so does the architect in God's eternal purpose whereby He reveals the Lord Jesus as the Word "made flesh" (John 1:14). And so does every believer, whatever our lives may involve. What a salvation! What a Savior who so loves humanity that He became as one of us, and who now still walks amid the venues of our existence to bear witness of His saving grace in all things. He ever gives to us the gift of Himself, as provided in whatsoever we do, and as known when we realize the holy ground upon which we take every step of our lives.
"Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord."
(Colossians 3:23)
Weekly Memory Verse
"Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
(I Peter 5:8)
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