In Minnesota, we say, “There are two seasons, winter and road construction.” Back in my excavating days, I would sometimes be asked to repair and line up the road construction signs and barriers. I would much rather do most anything else. Put me on a tile crew, on a bulldozer or in a dump truck and I would be just fine. Repairing signs was not one of my favorite things to do. But, it was one of those things that needed to be done. We needed to have room on the road to do our job safely. That meant signs to direct the traffic around us. Even then, we would have to be extra cautious. God is doing construction on our lives. He has put up construction zone signs. He wants to make sure that we give Him plenty of room to work in our lives and in the lives of others. So He encourages our patience, while He directs the traffic in our lives. Millard Fuller of Habitat for Humanity wrote a book entitled “Theology of the Hammer.” The point was that Jesus is a carpenter. Habitat, in helping people build houses, also helps people build lives and communities. Isn’t this what God is doing for us in Jesus Christ? Jesus is the carpenter. He tears down the old dilapidated stuff (the sinful selfish stuff). He builds new lives, with great care and forgiveness, He builds lives for eternity with Him. One time, Fuller stopped to inspect the work that had been done during a Habitat blitz. He asked a little boy if he knew who had built his house. Without hesitation, the little guy said, “Jesus!” He had expected to hear “Jimmy Carter” or one of the other volunteers’ names. But the youngster said, “Jesus!” Through His word and sacraments our Lord Jesus Christ builds lives and communities.
Dave Fretham is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Silver Creek.
