By the time you are reading this article we should have a very good idea of what our new building is going to look like. It is far from finished (the projected completion date is early summer), but it is exciting to see walls go up, rooms take shape, and our dream becoming a reality. During the past month we have seen all that we have been planning and praying for over the past three or more years nearing completion. (For many of our members that “more” is closer to 20 years!) This is definitely an exciting time in the life of Gladstone Christian Church!

            If you are like me it has seemed like getting to this point in the construction process has taken “forever.” It really has only been since September, but it has seemed long and slow. Besides discovering how impatient we all can be, can we also find a lesson here for our spiritual lives? Through watching this process I have learned (both about construction and spiritual development) three things. First, that the foundation is crucial; second, that it takes time to get the foundation right; and finally, that even when it doesn’t look like something is happening, there actually is constant work being done.

            The foundation is crucial! Should this surprise us? We want our building to last a long time and survive any storm. Thus, a strong foundation is mandatory. So too for the Christian life. Our foundation is Christ, His Word, His Truth. Without this our life is unstable and will not survive the storms of life. Jesus said it clearly: it is the wise who build their lives on Him, the rock (Matthew 7:24). We cannot skip this step in building our spiritual life anymore than with our homes or church.

            The foundation takes time! Even though most of us “sidewalk superintendents” didn’t see much progress during the first few months of construction, a lot of time and money was spent to establish a firm base for our new building. Excavation, surveying, building footings, compacting rock, putting in utilities and pouring cement all takes time. And this is not to mention the delay that occurred when we found high ground water (no surprise there!). All this just to get ready to bring in the lumber and put up the walls that we are currently excited about seeing built! So spiritually, do we wonder why people don’t become believers more quickly after hearing the Gospel? Do we give up too soon as we share abut Christ and invest in someone’s life? God’s Word encourages us to “...not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Are we impatient with our own progress spiritually? Learn the lesson of the building—foundations take time.

            Finally, just because we can’t see the work doesn’t mean nothing is happening! Yes, it is exciting to see daily changes in the structure. Yes, it is amazing how fast the work is going now. But we wouldn’t be seeing this progress if not for the unseen work of establishing the foundation. Are we surprised when someone finally “gets it” when they declare their faith in Christ and are baptized? Just because we couldn’t see any changes doesn’t mean God’s Spirit wasn’t at work, doing the hard work of removing obstacles and replacing them with the solid rock of faith in Jesus. Stick with those you are telling about Christ. God is using you, as the Apostle Paul says, to be “God's fellow workers... [laying] a foundation as an expert builder” (1 Corinthians 3:9-10). He is also doing the same “unseen” work in your life too, so be patient, trusting the Master Builder of your life.

            So what is next? The building will appear to “slow down” again as most of the work will be inside (just like after our conversion, God’s work continues in our heart to transform us into the image of Christ). Second, our monthly giving remains strong, but we have pledges for only half the amount needed to pay off the total construction cost. Has God blessed you with an unexpected gift? (It is tax season!) Have you made provision in your will for the ongoing work of the church? Are you new to GCC and would like to support our “Build To Serve” campaign? Finally, continue to pray how God would use you to build up His Kingdom—pray for the lives that will be eternally changed through the ministry of God’s Word in this place—pray for the strong foundation that is being laid in your life and the lives of others that we may all grow strong in our faith in the Lord!

Denis Whittet