Workers, not Master Builders

I spent this past weekend in Barcelona with thirteen women who passionately pursue the Lord. What a sweet time it was.

I came into this weekend needing encouragement. Encouragement that the goals I set for my study abroad would glorify God. Encouragement that in God’s strength, I am capable of doing what He has asked of me. Encouragement that God loves me, He is faithful to me, and has not left me alone in this foreign place.

There were endless moments that met this need. Silliness with new friends. Warm, beautiful, sunshine. Free and unlimited hot chocolate. Extended time in God’s word. Honest and humble prayers. Incredibly delicious food. Every moment pointed me back to the Creator, the Giver of good things, my Love and my Savior.

 

One moment among these stands out: the Sagrada Familia. For many, this building is a tourist attraction. For me, it is a part of my Christian heritage. It is a space of worship. It is an encouragement to my soul.

Here, I reveled in the beautiful things that God creates. I cherished the generosity of the Lord in giving us an ability to know Him. I fondly remembered that I am a small member of a big family that transcends time and location called the church.

In this incredible work of art, my heart was encouraged by God’s ability and desire to include us in His plan. God used Antoni Gaudí to bless the city of Barcelona with a clear image of His great love. It is by no means a perfect or complete image. It is made of stone, and one day, it will crumble and fall. Yet through this imperfect man, and this temporary work, God has spoken the truth of His love. He didn’t need to use Gaudí to display His great love- yet He chose to. He wants us, imperfect sinners, to take part in His perfect and eternal project. What a gift!

Standing in this sacred space refreshed my soul. God chose me to be a part of His family, and to play a small role in His big plan. Right now, that looks like showing His love to the people here in France. What a blessing it is to be right where God has ordained me to be, to do His work, to glorify His name- even when it is hard and discouraging to do so.

This weekend, my heart gained a deeper understanding of the truth best said by Oscar Romero: “We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest. We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.We are prophets of a future not our own.”

I am glad to strive for the sake of the gospel alongside Gaudí, the faithful women I met in Barcelona, and the global church. I am thankful to be a part of God’s big plans. I am amazed that God enters into the things I do and blesses others through them.

What a gift. What a God.