god builds for us
Why We’re Not Forging Our Own Purpose
“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:1 -2
If we want to step into all that God has for us, we have to do just that: STEP INTO all that HE has for us.
Friends, it is time to stop forging our own path.
This little section of scripture holds SO MUCH regarding purpose.
Without God building anything and everything we do, even when we do it or reach for it with hard work, diligence and even anxious toil, it’s in vain.
In this passage, it looks like the one who builds in vain still builds. He or she is still working and watching – but if it’s not what God has, if He’s not in it – it’s all happening in vain. We could diligently be on guard, rising early, building, but if the Lord’s not in it – it’s in vain.
BUT, if the Lord is building it, watching over it, if He’s in it, it’s not in vain. We can know He’s building it when He’s for it.
We can be at peace with this when we’ve brought all things to Him, are walking in obedience, waiting on His answers, moving in His wisdom. We can check off our, “Is this wise?” list, but first and foremost friends, let’s ask Him. (Isaiah 30:21; Proverbs 16:9; Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 25:4-5; James 1:5)
How can we expect to choose the God-given, right path or purpose when we don’t ask the One who says that anything outside of Him is in vain? Diligently pray about a decision, season you’re in, project you’re doing, relationship you’re guarding or work you’re being above and beyond diligent in.
Moving forward knowing God isn’t in it is in vain. Not inviting God to be a part of those things makes the building and the watching be in vain.
When He’s for it, when we invite Him in, when we surrender control, HE builds. HE watches. In this passage, the LORD doesn’t just give a thumbs up to the builder, giving the builder and watcher the o.k. to do what they’re doing, wishing them the best.
No. He builds. He watches.
When we step into HIS plan instead of forging our own, HE builds and watches. I think it’s remarkable to see, when we let Him, just how much the Lord works on our behalf.
We have to allow our Builder to build. We have to let Him guide our steps, ask Him for guidance, move and stay when He tells us to. Let’s submit to where He brings us to and move forward in His grace.
Let’s make the main focus and guide – the Builder, the Watcher – of our lives, our seasons, our choices, our decisions, our plans, our thought-up purposes. Let’s allow Him to define and shape our lives and to build and watch. Then we can be at peace and know, it’s not in vain.
XO,
Meg