A Time To Tear Down

Josiah was playing trains with his grandpa today.  They built a big track and he was really enjoying it.  But at some point the game changed and Josiah went from building to tearing down and stomping on.  All the sudden the fun part was knocking down the bridges and taking the pieces apart. It reminded me of Ecclesiastes.  How there is a time to build, but also a time to tear down.  

In the story of King Josiah there is a lot of building and tearing down.  He built up and fixed the temple.  He built faith in a people that had been led astray.  But he also tore down the idols, and the things that were not pleasing to God.  It makes me wonder what there is in my life that needs tearing down.  And what needs to be built.  

When we think about construction, it’s interesting to note that sometimes one thing has to be torn down before something better can take it’s place.  There is a house on a main road here in Arlington that has been for sale since before I moved here almost 5 years ago.  It seems odd to me that it hasn’t sold since it really would be a great retail location.  But maybe the house, although it is a good house needs to be torn down before something else can be done with the land.  Although the house has it’s own value, the land is worth far more.  

Sometimes, although the projects and activities we fill our lives with have value, we need to notice the real value of the land.  What is the real value of our lives?  Have we filled up this prime piece of real estate with small construction that lacks productivity and value?  What would happen if we did some demolition and cleaned the land?  Would the Lord be able to build something greater than what was there before?  Let’s take a look at our calendars and make sure to clear some space for God to tear down what needs to be torn down and build what needs to be built.  I believe He can do great things through us, when we allow Him to be the foreman.  

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:1

a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

Ecclesiastes 3:1

In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, to purify the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and Maaseiah the ruler of the city, with Joah son of Joahaz, the recorder, to repair the temple of the Lord his God.

2 Chronicles 34:8

Josiah smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles . . . 

2 Kings 23:14