The other day I was building a retaining wall to support a parking pad off the side of my garage. I decided to try and find some Hedge tree fence posts for the structure of the retaining wall. Hedge is known for its ability to withstand rotting for a very long period of time. I found a large tree on a friend’s property that I could use. Just cutting the wood took me a couple days separated by a couple months and a few minor repairs to my chain saw. Eventually, I had the proper number of fence posts ready to go. I then began the even more labor intensive task of actually building the retaining wall. The wall didn’t have to be very high; only a couple feet at the highest point. I did, however, have to set the main support posts deep into the ground in order to ensure my wall would hold the weight of dirt, gravel and any vehicle.
As I was building this wall in the 95 degree heat, a thought occurred to me. This wall is like my character and my manhood. As I thought about it more, I drew a connection between building a wall to last and building my character to last. I was sweating to death in the heat, digging deep into hard soil and I just wanted it to get done! I wanted to start taking short cuts. I wanted to stop digging the post holes so deep. I wanted the wall to be done now.
In the same way, I want my character to be built now. I want to be that great man now!
As I was finishing the wall I felt like God was telling me that it takes time and hard work to build character that lasts. In the end though, that character, like a well built wall, will withstand more than character built on short-sided wants. God is building me to last. This brought encouragement to my heart and my aching body. I think that the Holy Spirit builds all of us like this. It takes time, it takes work, it takes pain and some days you want to take short cuts. However, the Holy Sprit and our God has a great plan for our lives, our manhood and our character. If we will let him build us up with the proper mix of materials, depth of faith and trust in his plan, then in his timing we will be men of God that can withstand any weight that is pressed against us.
