Have you ever looked at a construction site? Say a building going up? Perhaps driving by it on your way to work, or the store. Or in your own neighborhood.

Have you watched it take place? First the ground is broken. Earth is moved to accommodate the place where the foundation is laid. Then the forms are set. Initial pipes are laid. Gravel is poured. Then moved into place. The concrete is poured. Then it must be allowed to dry. Then the bricks are laid. The electric is wired. Dry wall is hung, etc.

You know if we were to watch this process. It can take days and months. In the times of old? Even years!

One step must be taken at a time. And the steps must be done carefully and in order. In order for the building to be built properly. Such as the foundation. What would happen if you pour the concrete. And you try to lay the brick, within just a few days? Without giving the concrete adequate time to dry? Well, you may be able to lay the brick. But you would find out later, over time. That the foundation would not be able to support the heavy walls, or floors that it would have to support. It would be unstable. What would happen? The building would collapse in time. And it would cause much damage. And likely, loss of life.

Now, this is the point. It would be much the same way in our own lives. If we did not allow God to grow us in the areas of our lives that need growth. The areas that He knows are vital. Vital to our emotional and spiritual health. Our walk with Him. The work He wants to do through us. The blessings He wants to give us. And for us to be able to receive and appreciate.

Now, we all want to be used by Him. Be in better places in our lives. Receive the blessings that He has for us.

But we often will not give ourselves to Him. To let Him work in us. We would much rather "jump", or "bypass" the work He is doing in us. Often times? Because we are impatient, (and) or the work He is doing in us is painful.

 ...And believe me I can relate to that! And it is not enjoyable!! And Im sure all of us have been there. At various times in our lives.

But if we are honest with ourselves. We will find out. That when we run from Him. Or we try to "bypass" His work in us. That He is right. And we are wrong. And that we need to allow Him to work in us. But it usually takes us learning our lesson! Doesn't it?

You see God wants the best for us. As a loving father does for his beloved child. And sometimes that just does not feel good for us!

But the end result is always good:

 "Those who sow in tears
         Shall reap in joy.
   He who continually goes forth weeping,
         Bearing seed for sowing,
         Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
         Bringing his sheaves with him."

                (Psalm 126:5-6 NKJV)

But often times. When things are hard for us. We see Him as our enemy. But God sees the "bigger picture". And knows what is best for us. You see He is not our enemy. But often times we see Him as such.

And He knows that we are often the "hindrance" to our own growth. But He wants what is best for us. So He pursues us to help us.

 ...Even if we don't like it!

You see He is "pruning" us:

  “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

                   (John 15:1-2 NKJV)

But how many of us really allow Him to do it? Chances are, if we are really honest? Not many of us. Including me! We usually want the benefits of the pruning, without losing any leaves!!

So we "kick", we "scream", we "pout" like children. We use every imagineable excuse under the sun (which I am quite good at) why we do not want it. But the funny thing is this. It still goes on anyway! Doesn't it? He "prunes" us! ...Despite ourselves!!

You see we have to understand this. If we are to grow in Christ. If we are to become stable men and women of God. It will take us allowing God to do His work in us. Yes, we can fight it. But unfortunately the only thing we will do is hurt ourselves. And prolong the inedible!  ...God growing us!!

And for those of us who want to be used by Him? We must especially allow, and expect Him. To do His "internal" work in us. You see in order for us to be entrusted with what is important to Him. We must be built up in a healthy way. Where integrity and trustworthiness are built up. Our moral character, etc. So we can become effective men and women of God!

So if you are in a place. Where you are struggling with God's "pruning" in you? He is really working on you, in your heart, etc. Remember this. Just as a building must be built on a firm foundation. So must you!

So do not think that once you in are in Christ. that you have "arrived", you are "there". He's really only begun to, "build you up", "sanctify" and "use" you. Into who He would have you be, what He would have you do. 

...And the blessings that He has for you!

Remember what Jesus said?

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

                   (Luke 6:46-49 NKJV)

Something for all of us to think about perhaps?