Have you you ever worked on something only to find out later that you were working on the wrong thing? This happened to me recently.
I read this book fully expecting to have a report on it due. I began making highlights in the book, marking pages, and scribbling ideas in the margins. Right before it was due I put my finishing touches on the report knowing that I would have a high grade.
Only to find out we didn’t have to turn in a report the next day. We had a test the next day.
There’s not much loss accidentally writing a report. Just time and frustration. But what about the loss of living a life that God never called you to live?
Psalm 127:1 says, ”Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.”
I don’t know about about you but I don’t think that this scripture is specifically talking about building houses and guarding cities. I think it’s creating the dichotomy between doing things with the Lord and without the Lord.
It’s completely possible that you are doing the right thing the wrong way.
Let me explain.
The scripture verse says, “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.” Building a house is a good thing. However building a house without God is a waste.
What good thing are you building in your life that the Lord isn’t a part of?
It could be a job, relationship, or maybe an ambition that you have. The sobering fact is that without the Lord it wont be fruitful. And if your plans do succeed, you’ve forfeited God’s plans. Which is worse.
Although we may not can see it now, following God’s way will always be of greater satisfaction than following our own.
Most of us can recall a situation that we’ve been in where it seemed liked no matter how hard we tried things just didn’t pan out. This is because the Lord wasn’t in it — if we’re honest with ourselves we can see it clearly now. There are other situations where it seemed the divine favor of the Lord opened every door and provided for every need.
This is the difference of, “Unless the Lord.”
I’ve talked to many people who have taken jobs they shouldn’t, just because of the benefits. They ended up regretting the decision and questioning what would have happened if they would have obeyed the leading from God’s Spirit.
I’ve also seen people who have gotten into the wrong relationship. Not a bad relationship — the wrong relationship. Robbed of peace, they begin manipulating their situation and lying to themselves in an attempt to make something work. Frustrated and broken they’re convinced they’re no good at relationships.
I’ve seen people being dishonest with their finances in an attempt to make more money. They never have enough. They never will have enough.
“Unless the Lord”
When you build with God all things are possible. When you build the right career with God, you’ll succeed. When you build the right relationship with God, you’ll make it. Remember that when raising your family, choosing what college to attend, navigating where to move, finding out your calling, or seeking to expand your business that, “Unless the Lord” is in it, you’re wasting your time.
What is it in your life that you need to drop because the Lord isn’t in it? Or what is it that you should pursue (no matter how hard it looks) because the Lord is leading you there?
That’s where you’ll find satisfaction and success.
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