Yesterday we visited an old church, a very old church. It was constructed in the early 4th century. It was built by Constantine the Great at the request of his mother St. Helena who was returning to Rome from a religious pilgrimage.
I tell you this because I thought the church was built in the mid 1500’s and told that to a few people. I was wrong.
I had picked up a pamphlet yesterday and hoped to get a more thorough education as to its history. I took the one that was written in English on the cover however, the language inside is not. What I learned about the church was from further research on-line.
The church is called The Monastery of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, literally meaning the church of 100 doors.
Now why am I giving you this brief history lesson? There is a purpose.
Dave, who has done his fair share of construction, looked at things differently than I did when we toured the church. He was intrigued by the rows of chiseled stone that created the great domes inside the church. They are a marvel to modern engineering. How long did it take to possession them, one applying pressure to another to keep them in place, to keep them from falling.
We began to talk about how many years it must have taken, the skill it required and the dedication for not only the workers but their families. I remember the accounts that are given in the Bible of the skilled craftsmen that built the tabernacle in the wilderness and the those who built the Temple in King Solomon’s day.
“ I have chosen Bezalel from the Judah tribe to make the sacred tent and its furnishings. 3-5 Not only have I filled him with my Spirit, but I have given him wisdom and made him a skilled craftsman who can create objects of art with gold, silver, bronze, precious stones, and wood.” Exodus 31:2-4 CEV
“Solomon also gave orders to make the following temple furnishings out of gold: the altar, the tables that held the sacred loaves of bread,[b] 20 the lampstands and the lamps that burned in front of the most holy place, 21 flower designs, lamps and tongs, 22 lamp snuffers, small sprinkling bowls, ladles, fire pans, and the doors to the most holy place and the main room of the temple.” II Chronicles 4:19-22 CEV
I believe the Lord gave these skills to those workers who built this church also.
So often those working behind the scenes are overlooked but their calling from God is just as great.
When the Lord called Moses to represent Him and deliver the Israelites from Egypt He didn’t call a man who had great leadership skills. In fact, Moses was a shepherd in the desert. God asked Moses a question:
“The Lord answered, ‘What’s that in your hand?’ ‘A walking stick,’ Moses replied.” Exodus 4:2 CEV
If the Lord asked you the same question what would your reply be?
A teacher’s grade book, a nurses’ blood pressure cuff, a mechanics wrench, a programmer’s code, a mother’s apron, a soldier’s weapon, a scientist’s research, a first responders’ training, a fisherman’s lines?
What’s in your hand? Those skilled workers of the 4th century had a heart to build a church that would be used to honor God, a place filled with worship. Their craftsmanship remains as a testimony to their dedication.
Let the Lord use the very tools that He has placed in your hands to do the same!