Under Construction

As I took a little stroll toward the end of the day, I discovered that there must be a big construction project underway nearby. I came upon this huge pile of dirt and this impressive collection of busted up concrete. Nothing unusual about them, though I was very impressed thinking about what force it must take to bust up such a formidable material. What was strange is the fact that I have not seen a construction site.

All the work is obviously going on someplace else. All the planning. All the hustle and bustle. All the noise. All the sweat and physical labor. Everything about what is taking place is out of sight, except for these results of the labor. I have no idea what the project is seeking to accomplish. I have no idea what the workers started with or what they hope to end up with when all is said and done. What is clear is that something big is in progress.

Something is always under construction in our lives. We know our own story, what is being torn down or built up. But we do not know everyone else’s experience. We may know the story of those closest to us, those who have shared with us such private things. But everyone else with whom our lives intersect and our paths cross are a mystery, like the discovery on my walk. We may see evidence that something is going on, but the details are unknown to us. The “what” and the “why” are hidden to us.

We read in Colossians these words, “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience”. Since we are all under construction, and since we do not know the experience of one another, we should always live out of a compassionate heart. We should always live out of kindness. These traits of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience should be our default setting toward others, as opposed to frustration and judgement. When we look at one another, we should always remember that we are all having work done in our lives, in one way or another. We should offer to all that which we wish to experience from others - compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.

Peace.