Anchored or Propelled?

Uplifting stories have a way of making the rounds… generation after generation. The following story is a popular Facebook post these days. I first saw it over 40 years ago, but some evidence indicates that this story of unknown origin may have originated hundreds of years ago.

A man walking by a construction site sees three men laying brinks. He says to the first one, “Whatcha doin?” and the guy says: “Geeze… I’m laying bricks, what does it look like?"

Then he asks the second guy, "Whatcha doin'?" and that guy says: "I'm working; I've got bills to pay. Scram!"

Finally, he asks the third guy, “Whatcha doin?” and the worker stops, looks up, looks around, smiles, and says: “I’m building a cathedral.”

While researching the origins of this story, I found a huge number of people that spent a lot of time, and many words, explaining its deeper meaning. Like the story itself, its meaning seems absurdly simple to me. Do you see yourself anchored to the perceived reality of menial tasks? Are you tied to the realities of the world… just getting by? Or are you propelled by a vision… do you see the bigger picture of what you do… of who you are… and of how you fit into God’s plan?

Take a minute, and ask yourself: What am I building for God’s kingdom? What vision propels me?

Your brother in Christ,

Dave