Earth Moving Equipment:
Over the years I have been around some pretty good sized dirt crews, who move a whole lot of dirt, and dig some huge holes in the earth, that we fill with mud and steel (concrete and rebar), to lay foundations for some often pretty incredible structures.
As a carpenter, you read the prints to pull dimensions and depths, and then you go to work with a level and transit, laying out lines, and shooting depths and dimensions off a certified benchmark.
Once those drag-lines, track-hoes, and power shovels get to digging, there is only one safe place on site, out of their way!
I might be working with them setting grade stakes, laying out lines, checking prints, and solving the myriad problems that occur in actual site conditions, that are not reflected on the prints (buried water, gas, electric, and telephone cables, that are not discovered by the dig inspectors),
yet generally, I need to let the operators work their magic, digging precisely, accurately, and setting grade with an intuitive almost sixth sense, as heavy equipment moves mountains at the hands of man…
This is the sense I got in this mornings prayer, as the Lord has my full, undivided attention. Like a seasoned craftsman, I am seeking Him for the clear design, the blueprints for the work and ministry He has set before me to build, the foundations being laid, deep in the soil of hearts of His people.
He has moved operators and laborers into place, and heavy earth-moving equipment is moving in the realm of the Spirit. Hearts are being tilled, blades are being driven deep into fallow ground, breaking through hard packed dirt, to lay foundations much stronger than any concrete or steel, used in natural construction.
1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
We may have been raised a certain way, may have grown up in a strong church, might have a tremendous family heritage, that is the foundation of our lives, our faith, our belief system. As great as this may be, when God wants to take you higher than you have ever been, He often first takes you deeper than you have ever gone in Him.
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
I believe, that just as God used His words to design and decree the universe, I can use mine, under His authority, to create a better world for me, my family, and you who are the recipients of my faith and prayer…
Like the craftsman who is laying out lines, so I am declaring, decreeing, and using my faith on purpose, to call those things that be not as though they already were.
And all around me, I see dirt flying!
Let’s Pray:
‘Father God, I come before you today, and ask that you reveal to me, the designs, plans, and material lists that you have for my life, calling, and ministry. May I carefully, with my words, on purpose, declare Your decrees, as You break ground, confront mindsets, and establish deep truths in the heart of Your people, to carry the call upon each of their lives who you have set apart for this great work, in Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen’
