Seek And You Will Find, Part 2

What Do You See?

Proverbs 16:26 - “The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.”

You simply have to be here to really understand the peace and tranquility that our office location provides. From the very first day, it has been here.

But it is not scheduled to always be this way. The owner’s current plan is to have it demolished simply for the land value. As I thought about the potentially limited lifespan of this building with its unique, modern architecture, I was reminded of how the world looks upon those who on the outside appear to be worn and frazzled from life. We may refer to people as homeless, down on their luck or social outcasts. But God -- our loving and holy God – sees us for who we really are. He loves each one of us and desires the very best for us. He knows who we really are on the inside because He knew us even before we were a thought in our parents' minds.

Micah and I recently discussed what the architect on this landmark building would think if he/she could see it today. When you are standing on the property, it is as if you have gone back in time to the mid-1950's. I often try to imagine some late 50's cars sitting in the parking lot. I think I see one now. Sleek black tailfins, chrome glistening in the sun -- huge, white sidewall tires. Absolutely beautiful… something special...just like the building...and just like God sees every one of us.

Today, as you drive in, you can hear the crunch of acorns and a few leaves under your tires. Early in the morning, a rooster crows in the background (reminds me of the Scripture where Peter denied Jesus three times). Throughout the day, squirrels and chipmunks run across the deck just outside our office. We work in a place that was designed to allow nature to spill over to the inside. It is as if you are almost actually outside. Interior walls with wall length windows connect you with the outdoors as if the interior and exterior are one.

We enjoy this view today, but it wasn’t always this way. When we first looked at the building, we stood in the parking lot trying to catch a glimpse of what was behind these windows -- all covered with mini-blinds and draperies. Then, when we received not only the key, and the freedom to take as long as we desired to check out the interior, we were overwhelmed.

When we stepped through the door for the very first time, it was obvious that we were in a building that had been empty for quite a while. A musty odor greeted us as we entered the front room. Our eyes widened with excitement as we saw how spacious the rooms really were. The building had far more room than we had hoped for -- and for half the price of any other space we had visited over the past two weeks. Incredible!

It was obvious that it would take many hours to make the building presentable, but we were willing to give it everything we had. We found ourselves looking past the surface to imagine what could be. We made the commitment to roll up our sleeves and do some hard work to give this old place a new life.

Sounds like Someone else I know. Sounds just like what God did for me when He gave His only Son for me, when He reached out to me to draw me to Himself, to cleanse me of my filthiness and to give me new life. Has He done that for you?

James Gunter