Life is in a constant state of flux. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time for everything, a time for change. Indeed, “there is a time to tear apart and a time to sew together” (3:7a).
This week our church building is experiencing change. The old North building is being torn down and hauled off in bits and pieces to its eternal resting home. It would be easy to see that old building simply as an eyesore needing to be removed; and I confess I have had nothing but satisfaction in my heart during the process of its demise. However, yesterday, as the old building was succumbing to the relentless onslaught of the backhoe I experienced a moment of grace. It occurred to me that the old building, snapping and crumbling before me, was the epicenter of the life of the Church, not many years ago. This building functioned as the sanctuary, the kitchen, the pastor’s office, Sunday school rooms, bible study space, and all kinds of fellowship. This building has witnessed hours of prayer, hours of laughter, hours of labor, hours of preaching and teaching, hours of study, hours of fellowship and hours of fun. Inside this building people came to know Jesus Christ as Savior, people were served and learned to serve, people learned to worship, people learned to pray, love and live. This building should be remembered as a temple of blessing.
Although, it is satisfying to see the old building fall down and make room for necessary progress and change, its “death” provides us with an opportunity to remember the approaching hour of our own death. It gives us a chance to consider if our own life will be remembered as having been a place, a temple, of blessing. On an appointed day our own bodies will succumb to the power of death and will begin the slow process of decomposition. Most people alive on that day will never give a thought to our death, much like most people having no idea that our North building has been torn down. We will fade from this world, making way for another generation, another era, and another time. The question we should ask then is what activities went on in our “building” during our life? Will the activities of our life impact those coming after us?
Although it was time for the north building to come down, in a strange way it leaves a legacy that will testify to its productive life. The very fact that the church remains and is growing is a testament to the fertile life that began in the North building. So, when each of us is called from this world to our eternal home, what legacy will we leave behind? Will those following after us have a clearer path to walk? Will they have a greater understanding of God? Will they have a better perspective as to what it means to serve others? When we are gone, most people will have never heard of us (just as most will have never heard of the North building), but will the content of our lives and especially of our faith, impact them, nonetheless?
“There is an appointed time for everything…A time to give birth and a time to die…” (3:1, 2)., It was time for the North building to come down. Progress is a necessary part of this life. However, though the building has “died” an abundance of life has sprouted from that old building that will bear fruit even into eternity. May this be true of each of us as well! May the fruit of our labors in service to our Lord continue to bless others long after we have left this world!
Serving Him,
Pastor Gibbs
