Pink Kitchens And Brown BricksSample

God Is bigger than bricks

Every culture has a list of things that define success. Pharaoh’s did, and ours does too. When we cease to see ourselves and our lives as part of the grand plan of God, and we see Him only as the facilitator of “the grand plan of me,” we leave ourselves disconnected and at risk. Without His plan and His perspective, we’re at the mercy of our culture, endlessly checking boxes on selfish lists of accolades. Our culture tells us that we are the sum total of our accomplishments or attractiveness.

We’re all about business. The thrill of the deal emboldens our culture. A Starbucks coffee cup and a Bluetooth earpiece suggest importance: “I’m so busy that I must do 15 things at once, and I can’t stop for anyone or anything.” The measure of success for many an American man is how many “bricks” he can produce in a given period of time. For women, the measure of success is often sexuality. I’m not speaking against beauty, or fashion or caring about your appearance. I’m speaking against an alluring way of presenting oneself that says, “You want it, but you can’t have it.” That kind of blatant sexuality has been bolstered by the applause of our culture. I was watching a TV show where the topic was the death of a teenager from complications of breast enhancement surgery. The beautiful female host, wearing a low-cut blouse, asked, “Where do these girls get their unrealistic view of body image?” to which I wanted to say, “From you, Miss Cleavage!” Our culture worships materialism and sex because we have walked away from what truly deserves our worship: God Himself.

Men, you are more than the total sum of the bricks you can make. Accomplishment does not dictate your value. Far from it. There is a purpose to your work that supersedes earthly reward. And, women, you were made for something more than the creation of an alluring visual display. Your value does not stem from that. There is a gentle and quiet spirit residing in you that is the source of all true beauty. Trusting God for these things does not make you lazy. Relying on Him for your worth does not make you “less than.” Trust is not laziness; it’s a belief in a higher purpose than brick making.