Purposeful Pursuits

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1

What a wonderful verse to ponder on this day where we rest from our labor and honor the working people of our nation. Not only does this passage promote the consideration of our work and all that we are building, it begs that we contemplate why it is that we work in the first place? Just what exactly are we working toward? What is the ultimate goal of our labor? Is the Lord present in our endeavors? For unless He builds the house, we labor in vain.

This morning was glorious! We slept in and slowly made our way out of bed without the slightest annoyance of an alarm clock. My wife got the coffee brewing and we then began constructing a big breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and hash browns. Since it is a rare opportunity to go all out with the first meal of the day, I decided to fry some sausage patties in hopes of using the same pan for a little homemade gravy later.

As the rest of the menu was prepared and ready to go, I finally began to work on the gravy. I turned the burner back on low so that the grease and crumbly remnants of the sausage could begin to reheat.  I opened the container of flour and just before evenly sprinkling the pan I noticed one very important detail… We were all out of milk! We have experienced this before and were forced to utilize almond milk (gravy had a unique flavor, but not terrible). Yet that audible was not even an option this morning. So despite having premium sausage crispies and a plethora of grease and flour on hand, without the key ingredient of milk, gravy was impossible.

And so it is in all that we strive after… “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” We have dreams for our families, hopes for our children and grandchildren, desires for our time on earth. However, if those wants and longings and pursuits that bring them to fruition are not of the Lord, if He is not present in the game plan to carry them out, they truly matter not (Proverbs 16:9, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

Might we not merely rest in the ceasing from a day’s toil, but in the all-sufficient strength and wisdom of the One True Builder (Psalm 46:10). May we find encouragement not in our limited abilities, but in the One that has divinely graced us with the very talents we possess. May we seek the One that eliminates our mundane triviality and grants soul-fulfilling direction and purpose. As the prophet implores, how much longer shall we labor for that which does not satisfy (Isaiah 55:2)?

Lord, be the Builder of our faith and families. Help us seek You and call upon You while You are near (Isaiah 55:6). Father, may we not labor in vain, but faithfully strive for more of You and Your glory.