Do you ever notice that most people sit in their same places at church every Sunday? There is a feeling of comfort, of love, and of belonging when we see familiar faces and exchange smiles and greetings with one another. But this past Sunday was not the usual Sunday! This time we sat on chairs in the gym! But Oh, the transformation of the gym!
It all began several months ago when there was a need to upgrade most of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems of the church building. And then there was the layout of the church that needed renovation in order to provide more space, safety and security for the attending families. After many meetings and fundraising projects over the past several months, the blueprints were drawn up and work began.
Behind the Scenes
Many church volunteers worked countless hours behind the scenes transforming the gym into a worship center to accommodate over 200 people. The transition from the sanctuary to the gym for the church goers was not chaotic as one might expect. All was orderly, and we all found our new places to sit. As I sat in my chair, I noticed small blue masking tape that marked off each row of chairs, where the aisles should go, the stage for the band, the screens for projecting the lyrics to the songs, the sound booth, the pastor’s podium, microphones – everything was in place. I thought of the hours on their knees of those who measured and marked the gym floor with the tape. But what I noticed most of all were the many people who worked tirelessly, persistently, unwavering toward the goal when we all can say, “It is finished!”
Like the pastor said, “When real love gets involved, it costs something.” Not just money, but time, effort, and inconvenience for the many behind-the-scene workers. It takes continuous, high-energy commitment, sacrifice of self-time and pleasure to commit to this huge project!
I thought about God’s blueprint laid out for us in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Why did God create the world and everything it contains? John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
God is love and love is best expressed toward something or someone, so God created the world and people in His own image as an expression of His great love. But then sin entered the world through Satan who tempted Adam and Eve to sin, which they did. That’s when man’s need of a Savior became crucial! The whole of all humanity are born with a sin nature and in great need of a Savior. We know that God has been at work behind the scenes orchestrating the events of human history ever since the fall although He knew in eternity past that His labor of love would cost Him dearly.
When love gets involved, it costs something.
Many centuries after the fall into sin, Jesus, came down from heaven and was born of a woman and was made man. Love indeed can be costly! For the church workers, it cost many hours of labor; for Jesus, it cost Him His life. When we identify ourselves with the needs of others, we put love into action. And that is exactly what the Son of God, Son of Man did on the cross.Isn’t it amazing to know that God had been at work behind the scenes all along carrying out His blueprint for the redemption of mankind?
And when Jesus accomplished the work of redemption, He cried out, “It is finished!”