May 25, 2005
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B"H
I received this poem a few years ago from Rabbi Michael Becker. To date the author is unknown. Rav Becker shared this once during a sermon. I have thought back to it on several occasions since then. I'm sharing it here, not only because I like this kind of poetry, but because I think it has a valuable message to teach.
I Saw Them Tearing A Building Down
"I saw them tearing a building down,
A gang of men in a busy town.
I asked the foreman, 'Are these men skilled?
The men you'd hire if you had to build?'
He gave a laugh, and said, 'No indeed,
Just common labor is all I need.
I can easily wreck in a day or two,
What builders have taken a year to do.'
They swung a beam and a side wall fell.
And I thought to myself as I went my way,
Which of these roles have I tried to play?
Am I a builder who works with care,
Measuring life with a rule and a square?
Am I shaping my deeds to a well-made plan,
Patiently doing the best I can?
Or am I a wrecker who roams the town,
Content with the labor of tearing down?"
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Any thoughts or comments? Excellence should be the standard that we all use to measure our work and labors. This is not to say that the LORD judges us by this type of criteria. One of the most harmful ideas that many believers are inflicted with is the concept that GOD relates to us on the basis of a performance orientation. Seen in this view is the divine plan to bring us to frustration as we realize the futility of trying to achieve perfection in our thoughts and deeds. When we come to the end of ourselves, sort of like the 'prodigal son,' GOD the Father is ready and waiting to extend mercy and grace to us as we return to Him in humble sincerity.
While I agree that this is the place we all must come to, the recognition that we are unable to do and to be what GOD requires without His Spirit and Life in us, I object to the notion that "works" are essentially bad and are to be regarded as an expression of the flesh. See the last verses of Psalm 90 where the writer (traditionally understood to be Moses) asks GOD to establish the work of our hands. For sure, we are not saved by our works, but we have been called unto the vocation of showing the glory of GOD by our works. In simplier terms I have heard it said, "We have been saved to serve."
I close this post today with this thought. I have wanted to find an artist to make me a poster with a picture and a caption above and underneath. The picture would be of a farmer with a pitchfork in his hand. The heading above the picture would read:
Look to the Farmer: The Symbol of Excellence
Underneath, the caption would say:
EVERYONE KNOWS THAT FARMERS ARE OUTSTANDING IN THEIR FIELDS!
Peace and blessings,
Shlomo
Comments (3)
Hey Shlomo,
)... These are good things to think about.
Interesting thoughts here. I was just pondering this idea of excellence for God earlier this evening - aside from the idea of works (I think I agree with what you've said about that). I am a perfectionist, which means that I do most things as perfectly as possible (though there are a few things I feel incredibly incompetent in and so I don't even try - like algebra). This means spending massive amounts of time writing papers that don't need to take as long as I make them and can be good enough without working myself to death. I also agonize over papers and tests which just ends up stressing me out, and sometimes there is more agony time than actual studying time. I spend time worrying and sometimes studying or writing, that should be set aside for spending time with God. So there is definitely a balance. We need to do the best we can under the circumstances. I just wanted to bring up the juxtaposition (hope I used the word right
Hey Shlomo! Long time to talk to! Now that I know you are here, I look forward to more deep discussions.
Hey,
Any friend of beki's is a friend of mine, nice site!
hit me back anytime
~LiZ
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