Unless The Lord Build The House...

"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it;" Psalm 127:1 It's the old battle between self-will versus surrender to God our Creator. A person decides what he/she wants out of life and pursues it. But if the path one takes is not God's will for one's life, of what value can it be? In the the issues in life you can have it your way, the Lord will allow you that because he has given you the gift of free will. But of what value are the things I've done for me, the places I've settled for me, the one I've married for me, the occupation I've chosen for me, the friends I have for me, the hobbies I like for me? When the Lord is left out of the elements of life, you're on your own. He will not bless what you've done "for me." Things you've achieved and acquired may or may not go as you planned, but in the end you will find them to be empty. How much more valuable then, will all of these things be if they have first been committed to the Lord in surrender to his will for one's life? When a person is in the will of God, then he has the assurance that every single element of his life is God-led according to the unique plan God has for his life. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his way." Psalm 37:23 If you want God's blessing, then you have to do it his way, you have to commit all you are and all you do - to the one who will work everything out for you according to his plan for your life. This is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, because for God's plan for your life to be fulfilled you have to be in the right places at the right times, with the people God himself will bring into and out of your life. You have to be in the setting that his choice of your occupation takes you, with the spouse God has chosen for you and the friends and co-workers God chooses for you. If God is the Lord of your life, you can then live in faith and trust. But If YOU are the Lord of your life, you're on your own. Many refuse to surrender to God because they don't trust him. They feel they can do better with their own choices rather than surrender to One who they fear will cause them pain. But to pit their “wisdom” against the wisdom and the love of God is the essence of folly and in the end they'll come to understand that only too well. The goal in all of this is that you find success and fulfillment. Only God can grant that. Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it. "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 God's way in your life will produce what is truly valuable, what is gold, silver, and precious stones. One's own way will produce wood, hay, and straw. On the last day, you will stand before God and your works will be evaluated. Whatever was led by God will be greatly rewarded, but whatever was led by self-will be declared worthless. You have the opportunity to choose today what the outcome of your life will be. The Lord grant you wisdom to make the right choice.