The Leaning Tower of San Francisco
Melia Robinson, with Business Insider, reports:
Millennium Tower is a luxury residential high-rise that has sunk 17 inches and tilted 14 inches since it was completed in 2008. Though an inspection by the city showed it's safe to occupy, the situation has sparked an exodus from the building. Residents say they're selling multimillion-dollar condos at a loss, with the value of their homes tumbling $320,000 on average.
... One disgruntled resident told producers that with so many lawyers involved, it takes the court 30 minutes just to take attendance during legal proceedings.
... Some critics blame the city of San Francisco for allowing Millennium Partners to anchor the building 80 feet into packed sand rather than 200 feet down to bedrock.
... Residents now say they are "stuck with nearly worthless condos," according to NBC Bay Area.
... As Millennium Tower keeps on sinking, its fate remains unclear.
Jesus said, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash” (Matthew 7:24-27, NLT).
There’s nothing unclear about Jesus forecast for those who choose to build their lives on sand rather than solid rock. Apparently, the ancient principle still holds true, even in this modern age. And so does the application that He gave to it. Trust in His teaching is the bedrock on which we must build our lives. Otherwise, all that we purpose to do in the New Year is certain to sink, tilt and collapse.
Expanding Souls Encounter An Expanding Christ
In a scene from C. S. Lewis’ spiritual allegory, The Chronicles of Narnia, a young girl named Lucy is sent on a great mission by the Christ figure, Aslan, the lion. As she travels by night, she notices the great beast sitting on a hill, illumined by a full moon. Excitedly, Lucy runs to him and throws herself into his soft, silky mane. Aslan rolls over, and Lucy finds herself laying between his paws, looking up into his large face.
“Aslan, you’re bigger,” says Lucy.
The majestic creature answers, “That is because you are older, little one.”
Lucy, confused by this remark, asks, “Not because you are?”
Aslan assures her, “I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
With intentional irony, Lewis was suggesting that as we mature in our faith, the object of our devotion appears to grow along with us. This happens not because Christ has changed, but because our consciousness of Him has expanded. As R. Kent Hughes suggests, “Expanding souls encounter an expanding Christ.” Thus, Aslan only appeared to be bigger to Lucy. The real change had taken place within her.
So it is with every devoted follower of Christ. Just like Lucy, we all live with a disparity between the way we see God and the way He really is. This gap begins to narrow over time as we practice the appropriate devotion. The more we learn of God on this journey, the bigger He becomes to us.
"Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).
Mitchell Dillon
Phases of Life
Very early in our language development, human beings begin to ask questions that give evidence to our level of personal maturity. The first level is marked by the oft repeated word, "Why?" While it may seem that the little one is deliberately trying to test the patience of the adult to whom the question is addressed, the reality is that the child is simply seeking an elementary understanding of the order of their personal world.
The second phrase that indicates our current developmental phase is the question, "Why not?" This stage of human development is best known as adolescence. It punctuates almost every conversation between a teen and his/her parent. "Why not? Everybody else's parents say its ok!" Its a question that serves as a rationale for many decisions made during the dreaded "invasion of the body snatchers" when the adults once loved, respected, perhaps even adored become the most embarrassing buffoons one could ever imagine. No matter the logical explanations provided to the "young adult" by the parental authority, the question just keeps coming, "Okayyyy! But,... why not? Ughhh!" (the eyes roll here)
At some point in the maturation process the question moves from "Why not?" to "Why me?" A doctor's diagnosis, a market meltdown, a ruined relationship or some other life crisis often draws this anguished cry from our heart and mouth. "Why me, why now, why me?" we often complain to a God we know something about, but perhaps do not really know.
Finally, for some there is a point in life when having exhausted ourselves seeking answers to the first three questions, we come to the heart of what it means to be created for the purposes of God. At last we find ourselves asking the truly important question in accomplishing God's Will and accomplishing our life purpose. "Why not me?" speaks to the Truth of our identity in relationship to a Holy God Who has offered up His One and Only Son as a sacrifice to pay the sin penalty we owe. "Why not me?" refers to the ultimate question of our destiny. Who will bow and worship Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives? The only appropriate answer to that question is..."Why not me?"
There is coming a day when the Lord Jesus Christ will be known by every single human being who has ever lived for Who He Truly Is, the Son of God! The calling of the 'mature' believer is to realize one's own quest for answers is what truly matters, and that it is a privilege to take that faith journey before a whole world, searching for answers of their own.
This is our destiny as the people of God, to live lives of worship before the Lord and to show forth His Glory before the world!
"If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God" (1 John 4:15).
Joseph Griffin