Leadership Thought: A Labor Day Thought: “Be Careful How You Build.”

 Dear Friends,

 Happy Labor Day. I often sign my letters with a biblical verse, and the most common verse I use is Colossians 3:17. For me it is a reminder of the importance of striving to always do my very best at whatever I am asked to do. Whatever I do, I want it to have value. Whatever I produce, I would like to think that I could present it to Jesus without embarrassment.

Paul writes in Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  What kind of work will you leave behind when you exit planet earth? What will people say about its quality?  Will people remember you as one who always gave your best? Will you be one who is known because you go out of your way to serve others? Will they say of you, he/she was a person who could always be counted on to be on time, to honor commitment’s, to give his/her best?

In 1 Corinthians Paul reminds us that we have a choice when it comes to how we will build our lives. We can build using wood, hay and stubble, or we can use gold, silver and precious stones as we build on the foundation which has been laid in Jesus Christ. Jesus has laid the foundation of our life, and He is an expert builder. He warns each of us to be “ careful how we build…for our work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light” (1 Corinthians 3:13).

Maybe the following story will serve as a reminder to each of us of the importance of the life we are constructing as we daily labor for the Lord. An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife and extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire.  The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor to him. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

The carpenter finished his work and the construction owner came to inspect the house. Before inspecting it, however,  he had a surprise for his retiring carpenter. He handed him the front door key, and said to him, “This is your house;” it is my final gift to you.”

And so, it is with us We are daily building our lives and what we create is what we are left to live with. 

The results of our efforts become a clear revelation of who we are. When we do not give our very best, we create a picture for others that says he/she is a shoddy workman. I don’t want that said about me, and neither do you.

Our life today is the result of all our past choices. Our life tomorrow will be the result of  the choices we make today. Let’s make sure that the choices we make are the best choices, and the materials we use are of the best quality, so that when our work is revealed people will say, “Wow, what a masterpiece!”

Enjoy this Labor Day, and never forget to “be careful how you build.”

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

 P.S. “A man’s work is a portrait of himself.”