Article July 16, 1927 Issue

The Eternal Builder

CLAIRE J. MC GLUMPHY

At the close of the second chapter of his epistle to the Ephesians Paul uses these words: "In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." This, with the preceding verses, throws great light on the process of spiritual building, by which the errors of sense are discarded for the truth which makes apparent the temple of God.

Who that has watched the building of a material house and has observed the planing and detailed shaping necessary to bring out of the crude lumber more perfect material for its construction, would cry out in pity when a board which is too long for the place designed for it must have some of its length removed by the saw! Who but admires the careful workmanship which builds a perfectly fitting window frame, designed to let the light stream into what would otherwise be a dark room! However good a board really is, who would question the wisdom of the carpenter in cutting it to fit into its proper place, in order that the completed building may be free from defects? If a board is truly beautiful underneath, but is rough on the surface, who would beg the workman to stay his hand when he would plane away the rough exterior, as he works his plane, smoothing the wood, and bringing out unguessed beauties of grain, satin smooth to the touch, adding its part to the harmonious perfection of the new house?

Paul says to the Ephesians, "Now therefore ye are . . . of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord." How instructive this exquisite passage is, and what a rebuke to those of us who are tempted to indulge in self-pity because of some seemingly difficult problem which we may have to solve! Let us rejoice, instead, and gladly search for and lop off that erroneous corner of thought which is preventing us from fitting into God's perfect plan. In that old dark closet where are locked away, perhaps, cherished hatreds and resentments, let us cut an opening for a window which will let the glorious sunlight of omnipotent, omnipresent Love flow in. If we are letting mental laziness keep us from our daily study of the Christian Science Lesson-Sermon, it is cause for gratitude that discomforts and trials force us to wake up and work, smoothing away these obscuring beliefs.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

The Eternal Builder

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access