I want you to think with me about the common sentiment throughout Christian circles that God is always at work. He is at work in our lives. He is at work in the world. He is at work in the details. He is at work through the Church. He is at work in the hearts of rulers. He is at work in the presence of His people, where two or more are gathered. He is at work through the family unit. He is at work through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. God is at work.

This, I believe, is meant to be a rich blessing to our hearts. He is not absent, aloof, or unconcerned. He moves through our prayers and in our hearts. He is here.

Now, one analogy of His being at work is that of a builder.

Yes, a builder.

He is at work on our spirits, hearts, and minds through building.

Take a little excursion with me through the book of Nehemiah. Stick with me here. Nehemiah is first torn in two by the gates of the holy city Jerusalem being in disrepair. This is excruciating to him because Jerusalem is the treasured holy city of God’s people. It is where the temple served as the holy meeting place between God and Israel. It is consecrated to God and to His special presence. So, Nehemiah saw the walls of the city being down as a disgrace. The city should be complete, whole, and protected. Nehemiah was distraught.

Then, Nehemiah, with prayer and bravery, travels to Jerusalem and inspects the walls. He examines the project, gathers the materials and the men, and rebuilds the walls. Even through times of opposition, he completes the walls—and they are beautiful to him. He and the people turn to God’s Word in repentance, joy, and celebration. Those responses are what the finished wall and rebuilt temple inspired in the people of God.

Now, friends, I want you to shift your thinking to God Himself. He is the master builder—the one who laid the foundations of creation, the one who shot the stars into the sky out of nothing. He is the one who created and formed us according to His own wisdom and will. Do you think He is any less concerned for the spiritual temple He is building in your hearts than Nehemiah was for the physical city of God in the Old Testament?

I like to think that He comes to us with building plans.

I like to think that He comes to us with the materials.

I like to think that He comes to us despite outside opposition, being infinitely strong.

I like to think that He comes to us with this spiritual restoration of repentance, joy, and celebration.

What work is God doing in you? One of my trusted advisors recently told me that he is always hoping a renovation project by God is going on within himself.

We are the construction projects of God.

So, what is God doing in you? What plans for you as the holy temple of God is He setting before you now?

Let me give you three encouragements as you embark upon being the construction project of God.

You are not too far gone, and you have not ignored God for too long. He has a heart for you. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, the remission of sins, God has called you as His special treasure on this earth. Start the building project that God is doing within you by knowing that you are His treasure. Indeed, how could the temple of God be anything other than a treasure to Him? It is where His presence especially dwells through the Holy Spirit within you.
I want you to know that God is not done with you. Perhaps you are wondering what God will do next. Perhaps you have noticed many construction projects in your heart throughout the years, and you are grateful—eminently grateful. But lately, it may seem like you have arrived at a place of stability, and with that a lack of change. What is left to do, knowing that God has already done so much? Trust me, He can do more. He can keep building. He can keep drawing you up and into Himself. Don’t grow stagnant; God’s not done with you yet.
And finally, I want you to know that God gets the glory. He wants us to meet Him in these building projects and participate. I think Nehemiah’s hard work, alongside his fellow Israelites, is an apt metaphor. And yet, He provides all that is necessary for your building project to begin and be completed. Saying He gets the glory is not a way for me to chastise you away from self-glorification—though perhaps that reminder can serve us well too. What I am indicating is different: God gets glory through your life. What a cause for joy and celebration that your life and mine can be conduits for His fame and praise.

Where is God coming to you with blueprints to expand your heart, mind, and life? What building project is He starting within you? Come to Him with a willing heart and bright spirit. The Lord is pleased with you when you welcome Him as builder.