My husband builds and remodels, and can you imagine if I went onto the site and said, “It’s sort of drafty. Needs windows. This plywood is too rough to use for flooring. The lighting is terrible! All these exposed wires!”

What would he say? “Hey, I’m not finished! Ease up!”

Of course I could comment on the straight corners and efficient placement of electrical boxes and solid concrete base, but do we do that? Or do we notice only the unfinished parts?

We are all under construction.

God is building His church, and most of us have put on the Inspector Hat, pointing out flaws and unfinished areas in everyone around us. “Too rough. Too drafty. Too dark.”

God says, “I’m not finished. Notice the lines. The potential. The beauty that is to come!”

One day, we will be finished and perfected for all eternity. There will be no more splinters, holes, or gaps. We will have spires and columns and velvet finishings.

Until then, let’s affirm in each other the potential that God has begun! I’m not saying we shouldn’t offer a hand when a beam is out of place or a joint doesn’t match, but for the most part, we are to be celebrating the work God is doing in each other’s lives.

Imagine the finished product.

Those pipes leading up the walls will be an eternal orchestra of music and praise. The tall, reaching doorways will offer hospitality to the nations. The unfinished mural will be a testimony to the creativity and joy of God.

Let’s remove our Inspector Hats and pick up a tool of encouragement, following the example of Jesus. Let’s build each other up until we are all finished pillars for our holy, gracious God.

Love you!

Becky

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬