Sojourning

God has appointed works for us to do (Eph 2:10). Paul spoke about building upon the foundation he laid. Each generation lays a foundation for the next to build on, which becomes a foundation for the future generation to build on. Though we never leave the holy foundation laid by the apostles, we are each appointed to build our own works which will benefit the generation we live in, and those that follow us. If we build well, our works become a foundation others benefit from.


A few weeks ago I read a book called “The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw. It was a compilation of the accounts of people who had served in World War II, and included what they did with their lives following the war. I read about heroic deeds, and generous hearts. I read about men and women who were willing to risk their lives at war, and who sacrificed their earnings for high ideals at home. Most of the stories I read were full of the ambitions of great people and how they accomplished their goals. It was an impressive book and caused me to wonder about the following generation’s love of ease, and sense of entitlement.

Almost as if the Lord anticipated my wondering, He had given me a dream about a great tent before I ever read “The Greatest Generation.” The tent represented sojourning; not being tied to this life. Last night the Lord referred to the generation that is passing away, the “greatest generation”, saying that it was full of human effort, which was the foundation many of them laid for their children. Because human effort causes self-focus instead of God-focus, many of the parent’s post-war works were done to bring them worldly benefits and an easy life instead of building God’s kingdom.

The generation that followed the “greatest generation” were also appointed to build, just as each generation before them had done. Many chose the worldly foundations that their parents laid; human effort. Because many of the parents were self-focused, their children’s works tied them to this world, for human efforts have rewards and benefits in this life time. When Christians build on worldly foundations, they also are tied to this world because those that love this world and its benefits see things differently than the apostles (1 Jn 4:5), whose foundations are eternal.

We are sojourners in this life, looking for a city built by God in which righteousness dwells (Heb 11:10 & 13; 2 Pet 3:13). We must lay eternal foundations for our children to build on. Our materials cannot be self-interest, ease of life, and acceptance by our fellow man, for these are the wood, hay and stubble that will be destroyed by God’s purging fire (1 Cor3:12-14). God is looking for those who will build with a servant’s heart, for His glory . . . those who will empty themselves of all self-benefit, who will trust in His wisdom in exchange for their own. These people build with gold, silver and costly stones. God will lead the next generations to build on these eternal foundations until the City of God is completed (Rev 21:19), and each man has glorified God with his works.

We do not know which generation the Lord considers the “greatest”. But we each are admonished to build, choosing our materials carefully. Our works will last forever if we choose to glorify God. Amen.