Phrases such as ‘just scratching the surface’ and ‘the tip of the iceberg’ bring to mind an attention to what people can see. In his book entitled The Life God Blesses, Gordon McDonald paints a picture of a person completely overcome with attention to externals. The boat he is constructing has tremendous attention to detail with the most expensive riggings, brass fittings and other materials on the deck of the boat. It looks beautiful to everyone watching as it pulls out of the marina but when it encounters its first storm the boat begins to lose its way and fall apart. Why? McDonald explains that the builder gave little attention to the most important aspect of the boat; what lies beneath. The wood used for the keel and other connective pieces was cheap and poorly bound together. The design was flawed and engineered incorrectly.
It’s a simple lesson isn’t it? Working hard to build our life in Jesus Christ is most important in areas where people cannot even see; our prayer time, Bible reading and service in his name. Others may not see you pull out of the marina in awe but what you have built beneath the surface, by his grace and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, will take you through the storms of life.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Ephesians 4:14
No comments:
Post a Comment