A Living Pebble

“For what man, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? (Luke 14:28).

I stare at this parable, alternately condemning myself and making resolutions. “What tower am I building? What is my foundation? How can I build differently?”

Then, gently, quietly, I hear the Spirit speak, “The builder of all things is God” (Hebrews 3:4).

I glance again at the parable, reading His Name into the verse for new meaning.

“For what God, when He wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if He has enough to complete it?”

“Of course, Father, ” I respond. ”I know that You complete what You begin. You are not the builder with limited resources. Nor are You short-sighted.”

“Yes, I am the Builder. My Son is the perfectly squared CornerStone, so the lines of the building can be plumb (1 Corinthians 3:11). My Spirit is the One Who places each lesser stone into place (Ephesians 2:20-22). You are not in charge of building this tower.”

I stand silenced by Truth.

“Shhh…Listen, My daughter. Look deeply into how I calculated the cost.”

I turn to the lexicon for Luke 14:28. There it is: Calculate — Greek: Psēphizō: (verb) – “to count with pebbles.”

“What does this mean, Father? How do You ‘count with pebbles?’”

“Each believer is like a beautiful, living stone in My eyes. Unlike brick which is uniform in size, stones vary in shape and extent. Some smooth, some jagged, some larger and some only pebble-sized. I know everyone and hold them in My Hand before My Spirit places each just as I have purposed. Each one matters. Each one has a unique place. You, my living stone, are being built up as a spiritual house. You are choice, precious, and necessary to Me in order to complete the building upon My Corner Stone (1 Peter 2:4-5).

“As many, you are not a jumble of loose stones and planks, but in vital union with My Son and one another. His Presence in this foundation makes the tower precious (Isaiah 28:16). Upon Christ, My CornerStone, I have engraved hope saying, ‘The iniquity of the land is removed in a day’ (Zechariah 3:9). Look there and see. This precious value is for you who believe. Do not fixate upon your individual worth or on the stones near you. Fix your attentive belief on My CornerStone, and you will grow without disappointment (1 Peter 2:6-7).

“I build in all weather — sun, rain, snow, and ice. I build in all conditions — earthquake, hurricane, tornado, and volcano. I build in light and darkness. I will build My church, and not even the gates of hell will be able to surpass her in strength (Matthew 16:18). Be My little pebble that withstands and overcomes (Revelation 3:12).”

I smile for I have heard. As I living stone, I am still in progress. Still growing. Still enlarging in my space. And it’s okay.

I am His living pebble, and so are you. Selah.