Constructing Achievements

In September 2006, I had the privilege of visiting friends in Washington State. Doug and Gaylene live north of the Columbia River, about 50 miles south of Canada. Doug retired from his logging business and now ranches in the Colville National Forrest. Geologist state Ice Age glaciers in excess of 10,000 years ago initially molded this National Forest’s 1.1 million acres. Fred Flinstone’s unwillingness to “go green” must have caused the glaciers to melt.

Doug added a lean-to on his barn for hay storage. The process began as a germinating tree seeds in the forest, over many years these seeds receive the necessary sunlight, fertility, and water: eventually growing into a mature trees. Doug identifies these trees as healthy, and mature; then cuts them down for lumber. I do not know the precise process and timeline as the trees are debarked, cure, and dry. Before boards formed from the logs, a vision for use is determined. Boards are cut into various sizes (2 x 6s and 2 x 4s, etc) based on the requirements for the desired building. Board length also varies depending on the log, and where on the log the boards are cut.

The lumber is now dry, the warped boards are tossed into a separate pile of discarded lumber; the building begins. The process remains challenging and incomplete. The boards must now be selected in the proper order and appropriately placed based upon the building’s design and surroundings. An errantly placed board hinders the entire building. The boards are now properly and securely placed, a building now stands.

The process from seeds to building is long and tedious, with the finished product lacking any resemblance to the seeds or trees of origin. However, without the seed, soil, fertility, and sunlight, and curing the building would remain absent.

Constructing achievements is similar. We commence with a seed, a thought, an idea. We plant this ‘seed’ in scripture, fertilizing it with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding; and watered with encouragement and guidance from the Holy Spirit, including our friends filled with the Holy Spirit. These ideas, or thoughts, grow until ready for construction to begin, the warped ideas are permanently tossed out of our mind. We then must mold these ideas into various shapes and sizes, allowing proper ‘curing’. Then diligently choosing the right ideas and implementing these ideas with prudence. The process is often long and tedious, the wait and effort is worth it as we view the final product as a great achievement. This achievement may have little resemblance to the ideas as they were growing and first harvested. The proper curing and placement are necessary.

Trees ranging from seed to mature populate a forest, and loggers have lumber in all stages. Carpenters begin a project either during or immediately following the completion of one. We too are wise to have perpetual seeds of ideas germinating and growing in our mind while we construct current achievements. Just as a healthy forest needs rain and fertility, we too must remain in scripture, prayer and Spirit filled friends.

Talk with Christ, Walk with Christ, Achieve with Christ.

Make it a Great Day in Christ!
Rick
www.rickemeyer.com