Faith’s Framework
The young builders were enthusiastic. They had energy – lots of it. They jumped, bounced, and bounded out of vehicles and over to the check-in area of the Habitat for Humanity build site. They were ready! Forms all turned in, water bottles filled, the group moved to the area where the construction site supervisor would lead their project orientation session.
“Today, we’ll be finishing the framing of this house. Remember, it all hangs on the frame. We build strong frames here. Our new homeowners are rebuilding their lives as they help build their new home here. There’s far more to this house – any house – than you’ll ever see. Today, we’ll finish the frame. When we’re done, this family will have something to hang their new home – and their new lives – securely on.”
There were many conversations that day about how our lives are “framed”. One man shared his realization that although there were many things about his life – and life in general – that he didn’t know, he was, as he put it, “…glad and grateful that Christ is my framework, and I can hang all the ways I follow Him on that frame. Solid. It’s about at solid a frame as anyone could ever have.”
As we come to the end of John’s Gospel, he’s sharing the “last words” of his account with us. John has told us a lot, and now he wants to be sure we remember what’s important. Listen to these important words: “…these are written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in him, you will have true life.” (John 20:30-31)
Faith in Him is the framework of a life that is true, strong,…and eternal. He is our “faith’s framework”. But that’s not all there is. The man who came to volunteer that day knew that well. He started with a firm foundation, a “frame” of faith in Christ, but he continued to build his life on that frame. He “hung” his experiences of following Christ in the daily realities of his life on the “frame” of his faith.
I’m sure that, just like a house-building project, there were times when materials arrived which were either defective or inappropriate to be used in the building. It takes a discerning eye to catch – and exclude – those materials from being used. Likewise, there are experiences and choices which are not healthy or appropriate to “hang” on the “framework” that is our faith in Christ. It is a constant, daily project, this life-building. Potential life-building materials bombard us each day. We choose what to build our lives with – and what not to use. What to rely on, and what is unreliable.
Step one – Choose the strongest, most solid framework possible. Choose an active faith in Christ.
Steps two and beyond – Choose your life-building materials carefully. Ask yourself: Does this fit with my framework of faith in Christ? If so, build with it! If not, throw it away!
Here are some questions for your consideration as you think about this true story:
(1) What came to your mind as you read the construction volunteer’s description: “I’m glad and grateful that Christ is my framework, and I can hang all the ways I follow Him on that frame. Solid. It’s about at solid a frame as anyone could ever have.”?
(2) What are some examples of life experiences, habits, choices, and/or tools for living which would be good to “hang on the framework” of faith in Christ, to build a strong, solid, eternal life with?
(3) What are some examples of life experiences, habits, choices, and/or tools for living which would be unwise (perhaps even detrimental) to “hang on the framework” of faith in Christ, those which would undermine, weaken, and perhaps even destroy a strong, solid, eternal life?
May your framework of faith be strong and eternal!