Ruins

Have you ever traveled to a place and seen ruins? I mean true ruins. Ancient buildings crumbling around themselves. Missing windows, walls, doors and bricks literally falling off the top of the building to the ground. Buildings and homes so seriously neglected that there is actually vegetation - trees for example - growing in the middle of the former floor. True bonafide ruins are a site to see. We returned two Saturdays ago from a week on Ilhe de Mozambique. It's a beautiful and very historic island in the Northern part of Mozambique. And it is full (literally to overflowing) with people and crumbling buildings. Now keep in mind that looking at ruins with the average eye is impressive, but looking a historic architectural ruins with Steve is a whole other ballgame. You see when I look at the building I can imagine what it may have looked like in all it's former glory, but when he looks at a crumbling ruin he imagines what it could look like in all it's restored glory. That's one of the many things I love about Steve - his viewpoint of people and places often stems from his insight into their potential!

I couldn't help but draw a parallel to human life and these ancient ruins. You see as I spent time walking among these amazing buildings, I was surrounded by amazing people. Unfortunately the history of this island is not a good one. It was the destination for slave traders and ships seeking human cargo. There are buildings on the island whose only purpose was to corral and contain people who had been captured for the sole purpose of export. There is a history of violence and mistreatment on the island. After meeting people living on Ilhe, I believe even more strongly that there is great truth in the verses in the Bible that talk about reaping the consequences of our parents (ancestors) sin (Exodus 20:5). We may not bear the direct, immediate consequences of their sin, but we struggle with the same "baggage" because they have shown us how to carry it. I think one of the reasons that the island is literally falling apart is because the people living there have no ownership or pride in the island. Maybe some of them even see themselves as trapped there (much like their ancestors) because there is no other place for them to go. Even more than those reasons, I think the people on the island have accepted things as normal because that's all they've ever known.

As I looked at the buildings it made me think about how our lives can look. A life that is left to it's own demise and not cared for or tended to by it's owner looks a lot like ruins. When we fail to be disciplined in our lives we fall apart. Whatever the vice is - there are a million to choose from - when we live haphazardly instead of intentionally our lives can quickly crumble around us. Not just our physical beings, but more importantly our inner, spiritual beings. When we try to run our lives, control our destinies, refuse to acknowledge that we need a God who is greater than ourselves, we run the risk of building beautiful building that have no ability to stand the test of time and the warfare of life.

I was challenged by the crumbling buildings. Challenged to live intentionally. Challenged to not accept things as normal just because it's what I've always known. Challenged to find a way to live differently and help rebuild the ruined lives around me. I hope that you will be inspired to look at your life and see if it's a pile of ruins or a beautifully restored building. And if you find that it's in ruins, please seek out the Restorer of all things! He is capable and willing to restore anyone to wholeness!

[I originally wrote this blog 2 weeks ago. Since then I have been working my way through a Bible Study by Beth Moore called Breaking Free. It has been a parallel to these thoughts about rebuilding ruins. In fact this weeks lesson is called Rebuilding the Ancient Ruins! So if these thoughts strike a chord in your heart you might want look for this study! Blessings, Sarah]