• A man meets three workers at a building site.
• He asks the first one: “What are you doing?” – “I’m laying bricks.”
• He asks the next one: “What are you doing?” – “I’m building a wall.”
• The man walks up to the third worker and asks him the same question.
• He looks up with a smile on his face and says, “I’m building a church.”

Though there are numerous points we can glean from this illustration, let’s focus on three in today’s challenge.

First, work with the end result in sight. (“I’m building a church.”) Many frustrations, distractions, and discouragements will be dealt with head on and quickly dismissed when you have the end result of the work at hand in clear view. This really is demonstrated through the verse which says, “People without a vision perish.” Why do ministry leaders give up? Why do so many become distracted or discouraged? At times, it can be because they lose focus of the end result. Their attention is drawn toward the immediate without regard to the future.

Second, a clear understanding of where you are headed will enable you to proceed with effectiveness along the right path. (“I’m building a wall.”) Knowing what you are building will enable you to know which walls need to be built and which ones do not. In other words, having a clear focus of your desired outcome will enable you to avoid spending time and energy that does not move you closer toward your goal. The reality is that a person who does not know where they are going can often times discover that they are headed in the opposite direction.

Third, once you know where you are heading get busy doing the work. (“I’m laying bricks.”) Just having a vision will not cause it to come to pass. You must become engaged in the process. You must put your hands to the plow and not look back. Even if the end result seems afar off, taking one step will bring it one step closer. So, start taking steps toward your goal.

Just think about it.

Rev. Gary R. Linn