#313: Mentoring Moment: Unless the Lord Writes the Book

Psalm 127:1-2 - “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.”

Our workaholic society tells us to push and strain and strive in order to accomplish our goals. Many books have been written with this method...but at what cost and for what benefit? We also see many in the world today trying to protect all of the work they’ve accomplished in their own human strength. If we’re honest, we’ve all done this as if everything depends on us alone.

It’s interesting to note that this Psalm is written by Solomon who wrote most of Proverbs, many of which instruct us to not be lazy and to work hard. Here, he’s looking at the issue of going it alone without including God in the picture.

Whether it’s building houses or writing books, both are acceptable enterprises. They serve an important purpose. Our motives behind these things are equally important. Are we doing these things for our own glory or God’s glory? Ultimately, this is why we call ourselves Kingdom Writers. We’re all about building His Kingdom, not some monument unto ourselves.

God makes no distinctions between the sacred and secular - Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters...”

God is interested in ALL of our work including all the words we write. Our books will have more substance when we partner with God, just as families will have more substance in their relationships when they build their home with the Lord.

Regarding houses, they are viewed as a symbol of status. We can easily desire to have a huge, extravagant house in order to look good and be approved of by others. This kind of thing can also happen with our books. We can create something that comes off as polished and shiny in order to seek status. We can place our security in this status which is here today and gone tomorrow.

Why is our work wasted? It’s wasted when we trade the eternal for the temporal

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