1 Peter 2:4-12

I will be the first to admit I’m no expert on construction of any kind, but even this novice knows one does not set out to build a house on uneven ground with just one stone. Many stones are needed in the building of a house, and a solid foundation ensures it will last for generations to come.

I’ve been watching the progress of Chatham Church’s building site online, and a couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to stop by the building site in person. A crew worked for several weeks to remove trees and move a lot of earth, the culmination of which is a level piece of land upon which the foundation for our new building will be laid. Beams, nails, concrete, bricks, and mortar will all be added to the foundation to complete the structure, and the end product will be a building that we pray is a blessing to all of Chatham county.

As much as we have prayed and planned for our new site, a physical building is just that: a building. The church is made up of US! Jesus is our living Stone, our Cornerstone, and we the materials that He uses to build His church according to His perfect plans. Just as the physical structure can’t be raised using one brick or one beam, the body of believers was not meant to operate as individuals. I love how The Message says it:

Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. vs 4-8, The Message

It doesn’t say, “Line up single file and present your individual ideas for how you can run the show better than the person behind you.” We are joined together with other believers, neé living stones, in our mutual love for Him. Our job is to present ourselves as willing building materials, and God will create something beautiful out of us: a “sanctuary vibrant with life.”

The idea of being joined together this way--especially to the benefit of others over ourselves--feels strange, particularly as Americans. We live in a land where, “I can do it all by myself, thankyouverymuch.” It’s a foreign idea to love your neighbor as yourself, especially in a year where calamity after calamity has befallen us, and each issue we’ve faced has created more and more division among us.

Take comfort in knowing God is not building a nation or political system. He is building the church, that all may hear the Good News!

This week is especially fraught with tension, yeah? Deep breaths, friends. God is never taken by surprise. Election results do not define us. This world is not our home! Lay your burdens at His feet today, and ask Him to replace them with His peace.