Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Victorious Living

Home
Family, Parenting and Religion
The Value of Endless Construction

The Value of Endless Construction

Last updated on: September 7, 2019 at 10:51 pm by Victorious Living

The Value of Endless Construction 2019-09-07T22:51:55-04:00 Victorious Living

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A few days ago, my wife and I decided to take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The weather was perfect, which meant the first section of the bridge, the part poking into Manhattan, was pretty crowded. By the time we got to the middle, it was clear and beautiful. We even found an empty bench to sit on.

As we looked out over the skyline, midtown in the near distance to our right and downtown directly in front of us, we noticed something. The cranes.

“Do you think this skyline will ever be free of cranes?” I asked Kylie.

“No.” she said quickly. “They will always be building more.”

Under Construction

In a city like New York, Kylie is right. They are always building something. The cranes are working to erect new skyscrapers and restore old ones. There is never a “clean” view of the skyline. A crane is always at work.

I think one of the things that frustrates me about my own life is that it feels like it will always be under construction. I like the idea that one day, the cranes will stop. My character will be pristine. The need for expansion and repair ended. I can just sit back and enjoy life. Happily Ever After. Isn’t that the lie? That we are just one relationship, one circumstance, one choice away from happily ever after.

The truth is, as soon as I fix one mess, another is on its way. As soon as I navigate one crossroad, I am facing another. Life is an endless project.

Shift in Perspective

It is an easy thing to lament. So much work. So much effort. Plus, it is ugly. We want to sit on the Brooklyn Bridge and look at a perfectly manicured skyline. The cranes seem out of place and almost offensive against the shimmering buildings.

It’s easy to forget the buildings wouldn’t be there without the cranes.

As we got up to leave, I wondered what it would be like to have a more positive view of the endless construction. Kylie is right. The skyline will never be done just like I will never be truly satisfied. I might as well get used to it.

Two things stick out immediately. First, the cranes are impressive. They may be grimy and lanky, but they are massive and powerful. They are hundreds of feet in the air, lifting heavy beams from the ground to heights above their own head. Maybe the cranes deserve some of my awe.

The second thing, of course, is that the cranes invite me into imagination. In ten years, when I take our kids to the Brooklyn Bridge, what will the skyline look like? It will be bigger, better, newer. At the very least, changed. And so it is with me. I’d love the work to stop in my life. But when the work stops, so does the progress. The endless construction means the possibilities for tomorrow are massive. And that is a thing worth celebrating.

Previous Post

July 8, 2019

How to Lead Your Boss

Next Post

July 12, 2019 Speaking the Truth Can Transform Your Relationship

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Choices Conflict Resolution Culture Change Emotions Failure Faith Fear Freedom V Growth Healthy Communication Hope Identity Influence Leadership Learn Mistakes Mood Curve Ownership Perspective Power Relationships Self-Awareness Self-Governance Systems Thinking Three Things You Control Transformational Leadership Trust Truth Uncategorized Values Vision

Select a Month January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Psalm expresses confession: "Against you, you only, have I sinned"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Psalm 73 Psalm 24 Psalm 51 Psalm 100

Books by This Author Books by Victorious Living

See All Titles »