Where do you store a blimp? During the wars of previous generations large buildings were built to house the dirigibles. These were not Good Year blimps but part of the air war strategy. In the absence of metal sufficient to build these enormous structures, they built them out of yellow pine. After the war, huge buildings were left in Oregon and North Carolina. What do you do with a building that big? In one they stored straw.
Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians and called them collectively the Temple of God in which the Spirit of God lives. Unfortunately, they were arguing with each other about their Christian leaders. Some pledged allegiance to Paul, others to Apollos, ministers whom God had used to found the church. Paul says, I plant, Apollos waters, but only God can make the church grow. In another analogy, he says, “I laid the foundation, but whoever builds can use good or bad materials. Either way, the building will be tested and if it is built with good materials it will stand.
In the case of the large blimp-containers, someone struck a match, which lit the straw and then the wood and despite the best efforts of the firemen, it burned to the ground. We build our lives and our church on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Someday, though, our work will be tested by fire. The measure of our work will not be its size but its quality. What are we building for Christ? Build it to stand. Our Founder and Foundation is strong. We were meant for more than straw! May we be so filled with the Spirit of God that we make a difference in our communities and our world.
