'Pillars'

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

—1 Corinthians 3:9 (NKJV)

This Scripture evokes many images as we think about a building and its composition. If we are God’s building, then each of us is a part of that building. We are constructed together as a habitation for God.

My brother recently built his own office building. He took up residence in that building and out of that building he conducts the business of his law firm.

God is building His building. This building is the center, hub, and location of the network for His activities in the earth. It is the place where His kind of business is transacted.

Buildings are comprised of many different facets. When I taught this in the local church, I invited three children up on the platform, and I asked them a question: “If you could be a part of this building, what part would you be?”

One said the flags that hang from the ceiling in the sanctuary. These are banners of beauty and purpose. They rally the people to loyalty and allegiance to their country and cause.

One child liked the drums. The drums are a rudimentary and captivating instrument. They inspire and move people in praise and worship. They are also in public view, inducing admiration and praise from the people. The drummer’s seat is a ‘glamorous seat.’

The third child liked the balcony. This is the highest spot in the sanctuary. It raises you above the people and gives you a vantage point. It is the place in the building from which you can observe people undetected and unnoticed.

I asked three children what part of the building they would like to be. All three children wanted to be something beautiful, captivating, glamorous, elevated, and public. All three desired a place in the building that people could see and admire. That same weekend, we had a wedding at the church and many of those in attendance were strangers to the building. As they came in, they were in awe of the beauty and excellence of the building itself. Their comments were focused on the visible aspects of the building.

As I listened to the children and the newcomers to our facility, I realized that their attention was firmly fixed on the ‘décor’ and the surface aspects of the building. None of the participants in this survey mentioned anything about the subtle parts of the building. Not one person said, “What a great foundation this building has!” No one came in and requested a chance to see the rafters of the building. I wasn’t approached by anyone who desired a guided tour of the building’s pillars. Yet if the pillars were not in place, carrying out their responsibilities, the entire building with all its beauty and décor would come crumbling down. The very parts of the building that appealed to the children and the newcomers would lie in a heap of rubbish without the pillars.

This book is being written to the body of Christ to reveal a life hidden behind the scenes. It is about the life that you really want; it is not about the life you think you want. It is not about being a star in the church. It is about a life of responsible action being lived out behind the walls and scenes of life. It is not lived out of the perspective of a child. It is the destination of everyone who stays on the road to maturity.

You are God’s building. Will you respond to the call to take your place of responsibility without the impetus of human admiration?

The church stands only under the shoulders of the pillars.

This book is dedicated to teach you about pillars and to implore you to take your place as a pillar in God’s building. The children and the newcomers may not recognize, notice, or admire you. However, you will catch the eye of God and leave an eternal legacy. You will stand strong and solid as pillars—the invisible support team of the local church.