There is something impressive about big buildings.  The great feat of architecture and the amazing end result.  It is fun to watch from the beginning when it is just bare dirt and then bit by bit, piece by piece, a great structure is formed.

And then, to think about all the various jobs that are involved in making it all happen.  Each person has their own task.  Their craft or talent.  Each one is needed to make the final product.  There are some jobs in the process of constructing a building that I personally would rather not participate in.  Some of those jobs are just downright hard.  Only through sweat, blood and pain are some tasks completed.  And then there are others that can’t be fun.  Like plumbing for example – I am SO thankful for plumbers…but personally, I don’t know that I can stomach the smell.  But each one of these jobs is required to make the whole.

Now what does this have to do with God’s plan you ask…well, I was reading Romans 8:28 and this whole image of the building came to me.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Follow me here.  Just as there are many different jobs involved in constructing a building, there are many different parts involved in constructing our overall identity in Christ.  For the sake of semantics, let’s call those parts “seasons”.

We experience things in seasons.  There might be a season of pruning, a season of abundance, a season of growth and the list goes on and on.  Each season helps to create the bigger picture – the bigger testimony.

Standing in the belief that God’s word is true – that every word is meant for us, then Romans 8:28 should help us to better understand that each season is meant to be a building block toward the greater purpose He has called us to.  Just as there are jobs involved with constructing that skyscraper that are far from exciting and fun, there are also seasons in our lives that we would also consider far from fun.

Yet – they are necessary.

Can you imagine a 100 story office building with no plumbing?  It would be useless!  That simple miss would result in a building that lacks its full potential.

The same holds true for whatever season you might be going through.  When you stop to reflect on your past, you should see that each season helped to define who you are in Christ.  Each season is a building block toward a fully functional You!  A you that is a total reflection of Jesus.  A you that is fearfully and wonderfully made!

We have to simply keep things in perspective.  I know that I have been called, just as Romans 8:28 says, and that means no matter what season I am in, I have a promise to fall back on that He will turn it to good.  When I stop to look back on everything, I will see the foundational building blocks that are forming me as the Righteousness of Christ!

Question: What promises do you hold to during the “not-so-fun” seasons?