A Time to Build Up

Building—whether a house, an empire, a sand castle, a brand or even a bear, takes a concerted, almost deliberate effort to see it through.

I suppose those are just a few aspects of conceptualizing what it means to build up. We can also look at the concept of build-up from a different perspective. For instance, when it comes to germs and gunk. We might also consider the uplifting of one's esteem—whether by flattery, compliments or affirmations. By the same token, it can mean reinforcing the strength and sturdiness of a thing or restoration to increase its value. The ways to spin it are endless.

To 'build up' can also relate to the time before an event. A crescendo, if you will—the loudest point reached in a gradually increasing sound. I'll tell you the God's honest truth; what I never want to be is anticlimactic. Better yet, not live up to the hype.

As I mulled over the notion of building and how it applies to life, I remembered one of my favourite stories from the Bible—The Tower of Babel.

The scripture reads: Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. (Genesis 11:4-6)

So many things jumped out at me, all at once. I almost couldn't contain myself. Yet three things stood out more distinctly. I identified 3 things that caused this mission of building the tower to be so spot on that it got God's attention. So much so that He addressed it personally. God didn't even permit an angel to come in His stead.

Firstly, they spoke a Common Language; secondly, they had a Plan and most importantly, they had Agreement. So let's explore these areas.

Common Language: Now, to be clear, having a common language doesn't mean you have an understanding. We can perhaps all bear witness to the plethora of misunderstandings we experience throughout the various relationships in our lives. Over 2,700 languages and over 7,000 individual dialects are spoken worldwide, though there are four common ones: English, Mandarin (Chinese), Hindustani and Spanish. I dare say English is the most confusing language with our homophones and polysemous words in all.

For example, the word 'sound' has 19 noun meanings, 12 adjective meanings, 12 verb meanings, 4 meanings in verb phrases, and 2 adverb meanings. Now come on, it's a wonder we get anything done. #doyouunderstandthewordscomingoutofmymouth

Nonetheless, if you're about to build with another person or group, establishing a common language means using verbiage that everyone understands. Living in today's society, this can be a challenge within itself. How many times have we seen cancel culture in an outrage over the way an artist used a word or phrase? The thing about language is what may be a non-issue for some can be an offence to others.

So naturally, I was impressed with the folks building this tower. Honestly, have you ever been on a planning committee for an event? Oh-Em-Gee—pull my teeth without the anesthesia already. I won't even mention a relationship where you both are saying the same thing, but one person speaks in binary and the other in colour, but you both speak English. Whew, chall! How on God's green earth did all these people get together and said, "Let's build," and the masses replied, "Say less!" Next thing you know, God spin ‘round in Heaven and was like, "Aye, aye—what yinna doin’ here?" #mindblown #newtowerwhodis

All I can tell you is Xscape was right; "It's simple as 1, 2, 3 understanding is what we need!"

Have a plan: I don't know about you, but my plans constantly change. It changes based on my mood, my coins, the weather, the day of the week, the month of the year, or the time. Basically, at the slightest inconvenience, issa wrap, aye! While the Bible doesn't say this, it appears as if nothing deterred this crew. They fixed their eyes on the prize, and come hell or high water; they were on a mission. It literally took God Himself to interrupt their plan.

If I've learned nothing else about planning, I know that it reveals weaknesses and strengths, but it also increases efficiency. Additionally, it promotes creativity. 'Cause let's face it, there were no Structural Engineers with fancy scaffolding or machinery that helped them to build what I call a benchmark of the skyscraper.

I wonder, do your plans ever take you outside your comfort zone? Do they ever oppose your ideologies? Do your goals scare you to the point that you think to achieve them; they MUST be powered by God? Are your plans only beneficial to you? And if you should die, will your plans die too?

Having a plan is more than writing on a piece of paper, but it's a declaration of faith. You have to see it before you see it!

Agreement: The power of agreement, though, has to be the cherry on top. It's the kind of contract that puts you in the state of being tractable.

Matthew writes, "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:19-20

This really highlights why it's sometimes so hard to get on the same page. When you have no common ground, it'll always be a fight to have things flow smoothly. Most of us only agree until we get the portion that is most beneficial to us. But friend, you gatta see it through. In the end, when the mission is complete, that's when everybody wins.

Honestly, Solomon always comes through clutch. He states, "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 #myGod

I suppose the only conclusion I can draw is if you're building alone, are you even making sense? Are you even serious about life? Don't feel bad, though; I'm guilty of this too—trying to go at it alone. You simply can't. You know what? Let me rephrase that—you shouldn't! #twohandsmakesworklight

The reality is, one of us can put 1,000 to flight (to cause (someone or something) to leave or run away), and two of us can put 10,000, then by my calculation, three people should be able to send 100,000. (Scripture reference: Joshua 23:10)

Listen, don't miss your opportunity to build (something meaningful) because you refuse to get along with people. As an old African Proverb says, "If you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go together." All I'm saying is, find ya, tribe, aye!