Following my devotional last week, We are the body of Christ, I was reminded of a powerful vision I had several years ago which I’ve shared in some of my books. The vision began as I reflected on these verses: As you come to him, the Living Stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him -you, also like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4)
As I thought about those words, I suddenly saw a vision of a beautiful, multi-faceted tower being built. Although the tower was standing in a dark place, it seemed to have an incandescent light that shone out into the surrounding darkness and transformed it. The very bricks were shining with a soft glowing radiance and I saw that each had its own colour and depth of tone and even their shapes were all unique. As I gazed, I felt overwhelmed by the tower's beauty and strength. I heard the Lord say ‘This is my dwelling place, the lives of those who love me and whom I love and died for.Their lives are being formed into an invincible tower that is called by my name and will reveal my glory and splendor in the darkest place.’
I thought, these must be very special, beautiful bricks that the Lord is using for his tower.
Then I saw the actual building going on. Jesus was choosing and preparing the bricks. Far from being the perfect bricks I had envisaged, he was burrowing for them in a deep pile of rubble. I saw how, with his bare hands, he tore the rubble apart because he wanted a certain brick at the bottom. This had been crushed and was mis-shapen with chunks missing out of it. He said, ‘This is someone who has been crushed and broken by life.’ Another brick cut his hands because it was jagged with bits of broken glass. Ignoring the wound, he cradled it tenderly and said, ‘This is someone who has been very hurt and has become hard and embittered.’ Another was covered in mud and filth. This was someone who felt completely worthless and unforgivable because of their sin. As he brought out each brick he held them gently, tending them, breathing on them and speaking to them softly. As I watched, an amazing thing happened. The dirty and rough edges became smooth and clean and in each one a beautiful colour began to develop. He then took it to the growing tower and with great care, placed it especially so that its unique shape and color melded in exactly. It was incredible to see that while no two bricks were the same,many being very complex shapes, yet as he set them in place they seemed to fuse together and become as one, each enhancing the other’s beauty and uniqueness. Each brick was supporting and uplifting those above and around it while in its own turn it was also being supported and uplifted. A beautiful picture of mutual support and giving with each stone being vital in what it could give.
I thought that was the end, but as I continued to pray I saw something that seemed to be causing him great grief. Some of the bricks, after he had placed them in the tower, began to leap out again. One said, ‘I can't go in there, I'm too ugly.’ Others said, ‘We don't want to be in the tower, we are strong and beautiful now. We want to be here where we can really bring glory to God.’
Jesus wept as he picked them up again. ‘Can't you see what I am doing?’ he said. ‘The tower displays my beauty because it is made up of so many unique bricks that are all supporting each other. Each brick is upholding those around and above it. On your own you are just one, but together you become a tower that the very satanic hosts cannot overcome.’
But the bricks still refused to be part of it, leaping out again, saying ‘We don't like the colour or the shape of those around us,only part of us can be seen then, surely people will only get a narrow view of God if they see us like that?’
Jesus wept again as he surveyed the tower and the gaps where the bricks had jumped out. ‘ It is in true love, unity and support of one another that the world will see me,’ he said. ‘When people go their own way, they leave gaps where the enemy can send his arrows into what should be an invincible tower. They then cause others to be weakened and damaged.’
He turned away with the rebellious bricks still in his hands. ‘I will love and tend you until you are softened inside. There is no brick I will not use, however rough, dirty or jagged, because I am the one who transforms and creates beauty out of brokenness. But they must become joined one to another, otherwise, however much I love them and long to use therm, I will not be able to. But to build this living tower of love is what I have been called to do.’
Consequently,you are no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19)
Reflect
Do you know you are chosen by Jesus to be one of the bricks in that beautiful tower? Unique, yet with that special calling to love and support those around you? Do you want to be part of creating that tower of beauty and love that will transform our dark society by the living light of Jesus?
Rejoice in what he is doing in your life and ask him to show you those you can reach out to with his love and support. Release to him all thoughts of unworthiness or pride in wanting to do your own thing and receive his renewing Spirit to cleanse and transform you.
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