Isn’t it amazing to know that we are not cookie-cutter Christians? Each of us is a rare individual and one-of-a-kind in God’s eyes!
We are all unique! Deliciously so!
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each person must be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work” (1 Cor. 3:9–13, NASB).
According to the Bible, God allows you to add some materials of your own choice upon your foundation. Personality, gifts, preferences and individuality are highlighted as we choose the materials that will complete the foundation that has been laid.
Pure gold people are true from the inside out; they possess not a shred of guile or hypocrisy. Golden people are givers because they know that life is about others, not themselves. If you desire to add gold to your foundation, you will be a giver and not a taker! Golden people are filled with pure joy!
Silver people are faithful servants of God. They serve God no matter the cost or the season. Silver people are the best Sunday school teachers, the kindest mothers-in-law and the very truest of friends. Silver people can simply be called servants.
Precious stones are those folks who use their talents for God. They find fulfillment in giving glory to the Lord and not to self. Precious stones are on the worship team, or they might be the intercessors of the church. Precious stones make the foundation stunningly attractive.
Wooden people, on the other hand, can be serviceable only if they are publicly appreciated. They are not the first to volunteer, but if asked, they just might come and help out once or twice a year. They don’t attend church every Sunday, but if they are not too tired or if the weather is good, they will make an effort to be in the house of the Lord.
If you are adding straw to the foundation of your heart, you might be scratchy and smelly! You may be hurting other people’s feelings with your words, your actions and your attitudes.
“If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are” (1 Cor. 3:14–17, NASB).
Are you beginning to understand the importance of the foundation of your heart? Your life is all about Him! Your heart is all about Him! Your foundation is all about Him!
“They sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, ‘For He is good, for His favor is upon Israel forever.’ And all the people shouted with a great shout of joy when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid” (Ezra 3:11, NASB).
As you read the list of foundational attributes, consider … what type of material have I added to my foundation? Think of a time when you went through a fire—a difficult time in life. How did that time reveal your true character?
Your heart is God’s dwelling place. You are more precious to God than you could ever imagine! Your foundation should not only be beautiful, it should also be generous and serviceable. God uses us as His dwelling place! He deeply desires to live in our hearts in order to accomplish His plan in the world. {eoa}
Excerpted from At Home in Your Heart: Inviting Christ into Every Room, © 2022 by Carol Burton McLeod, published by Whitaker House. Used with permission.
Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.
