“This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.” (Ezra 7:10 NLT)
As far back as ancient Roman times, dirt roads gave way to the laying of cobblestones to provide a better surface on which to travel. In our country cobblestones were used in the 19th century and as time passed, other materials were used to make roads passable; all the way to the use of asphalt. And still today, ingenious engineers are constantly coming up with innovations to improve the quality of the asphalt roads on which we drive. In the late 1800’s, before the predominance of asphalt roads, brick roads were laid. Even though they are considered a thing of the pasts, in many cities, especially in historic sections, brick roads have been left, perhaps as a historic memento or keepsake of past times long gone.
The construction of brick roads was intriguing to me and served as a perfect analogy for teaching college students, as well as current leaders in the corporate and church worlds, about their responsibilities as bricklayers. If asked, individuals in my classrooms or business training sessions were asked about bricklaying today, they would simplify reply “Leaders are bricklayers who set a path for others to travel.” If pressed for an expanded explanation, those same learners would explain that leaders model the way for others coming behind us will follow.
Every Christian is a bricklayer. You are a bricklayer, for you have a responsibility of laying a path by your examples, not just your words, so that younger, newer Christians will follow and live exemplary Christian lives. Really it doesn’t matter if you are young or older, the title of “bricklayer” is appropriate for all believers. Why? Because someone is looking to you directly or indirectly as you lay bricks to forming a path that is characterized by a beautiful pattern of Christian living that many will follow for generations to come. Like the brick paths that remain in historic sections of major cities, the brick paths that you lay will serve a present day lesson of what it means to live a sanctified life.
In the Bible verse above, as we look at Ezra, we see how God’s people evolve into being effective, making a difference bricklayers. First, it takes determination in one’s heart to study God’s word. That becomes your architectural, spiritual drawing for laying bricks properly. Second, Ezra shows us that determination to obey God’s word is required of good bricklayers. Third, Ezra was committed to teach the statutes and ordinance to God’s people where he was, in Israel. I hope you noted that to be a good bricklayer, you validate what you are teaching by how you are living; by obeying the word of God to the very best of your ability.
Go out today remembering that you are a bricklayer and your behavior and your words will set a path for others to follow. Oh real bricklaying took physical labor and spiritual bricklaying takes spiritual effort, time, energy, and the presence of a God-conscience character in you. I have confidence that you can do it! However, if you need help, see where Paul’s help came from in the verse below. Have a great day doing the work of Him who sent you my fellow bricklayer. Be blessed!
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1 KJV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King