The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "New Purpose" for Saturday, 4 February 2017 with Scripture Psalm 127:1-2

The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "New Purpose" for Saturday, 4 February 2017 with Scripture Psalm 127:(0) A song of ascents. By Shlomo:
(1) Unless Adonai builds the house,
its builders work in vain.
Unless Adonai guards the city,
the guard keeps watch in vain.
2 In vain do you get up early
and put off going to bed,
working hard to earn a living;
for he provides for his beloved,
even when they sleep.
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Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain.[Psalm 127:1 (NIV)]
We were on holiday in York, a beautiful, historic city in Northern England, filled with overhanging Elizabethan buildings, Georgian and Victorian houses, medieval churches, city walls, and Roman remains. During our stay, we observed workmen restoring an old building nearby. Workers came early each morning and set about unloading supplies required for the transformation of the old building into something new that would stand the test of time. With plenty of noisy crashing, they discarded rubble in a pile ready for removal.
Later, while praying and listening for God one morning, I remembered Psalm 127:1: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” I invited God to transform my life, regarding it as God’s temple to be restored, renewed, and improved. Thinking of the builders, I was nervous that my inner change might be radical or painful; but I remembered that God always comes to us lovingly to restore us, to strengthen us, and to give us new purpose.
Read more from the author, here.
"More from Faith Ford"

Once again I find myself thrilled and honored to be writing for the Upper Room blog and meeting with friends from all around the world! My meditation today was written when we were staying on holiday right in the center of York, a wonderful city in Northern England. Unlike many of our other historic cities in the UK, York was not as badly bombed in WWII and many of the ancient and older buildings have survived. York was an important city for the Romans who invaded Britain in the first century and who occupied it for the next few centuries, and there are many remains of the Roman sites and artifacts to be seen to this day. The Vikings later settled in York, and there have been many archeological finds such as jewelery, buckles, and helmets from their time which are on show in the museums. In fact, there is a whole museum dedicated to the Vikings. There are many surviving 

medieval churches and whole Elizabethan streets with overhanging upper floors which make York a beautiful and fascinating place to visit. There are little alleys and walkways (called snickelways) linking the streets and market. There are some magnificent Georgian houses and Victorian ones too. What is perhaps most amazing is how the city walls are so well preserved and intact so that you can walk around at an elevated level and see all the wonderful buildings, houses, and gardens. York Minster dominates the sky line but there are lots of other churches as well. We have had quite a few holidays in York over the years and there are many museums and galleries to visit in addition to the churches and historic houses. The National Railway Museum is also there which is a firm favorite with our grandsons! There are boat trips on the river and horse drawn carriages from which you can take in the sites. It is a really great tourist destination if you ever visit the UK.
Last year, when we were staying in quite a modern coach house apartment in York, there was a big restoration project of older

buildings nearby. We saw lots of construction workers carrying out rubble as they started their work to convert unused upper floors of shops in Goodramgate into lovely new apartments. That set me thinking how God might see me as a project to improve or for whom to find new purposes. You'll see the meditation was the result of those musings!
So often I stick with the familiar and resist change, but I truly believe that we should be open to God's calling to new places, people, and tasks. It is amazing what God can achieve through "ordinary" people's lives. If we step out in obedience to what we are called to do or to be, we can become extraordinary people in God's kingdom. Our lives and words can speak of God's great love for all people.

When we went to York again this year we were amazed to see that the builders had finished their work and the apartments are now occupied. All the hard work and labor had been worth the effort, and together the architect and the construction workers had achieved their goal of finding a new purpose and beauty for the unused floors above the shops. With our God directing our lives we too can find that we can be changed for the better - even dilapidated, dull, or under-used gifts can be transformed into something fit for God's kingdom![Faith Ford]

Pictured, top to bottom: A street in York, St. Martin's Church tower, site-seeing in York, ancient Roman ruins, York Minster
The Author: Faith Ford (United Kingdom)
Thought for the Day: God can restore me and give me new purpose.
Prayer: Dear God, may we be open to the changes you make so that we can be more effective in your service. Amen.
Prayer focus: Construction workers

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