Born in a Barn

     In the south if someone does not shut a door all the way,  we would yell at them to "Shut the door!" and then add, "Were you born in a barn?" The idiom probably started on the farm where barn doors are often left open. But it is funny to think that someone, even from the south, might actually be born in a barn. But we know the truth, Jesus was. Not only was he born in a barn, his first cradle was a feeding trough. The Greek word for "feeding trough" is phatne. It is used two times in Luke the 2 chapter to describe Jesus' baby crib ("crib" has a similar derivation or morphology as feeding trough). But we see that today Christianity covers the globe and has millions of dedicated followers. A more humble beginning would be hard to imagine. Even being born in a taxi is a step up from where animals eat and well, live. 

     I was looking yesterday over the fence at the construction of Centers of Learning's (COL) new school building. The workers were on top of the roof putting on flashing and getting it ready to nail down the composition shingles.  COL has had a confirmed word of direction from the Lord to "finish the  High School". So it was awesome for me to stand there and gaze at our work of faith. What part are they building first?  They are building the barn! The stable! The crib! You know where they are going to keep the animals! That's right our multi-million dollar project is starting with a manger. Hmmm. 

      When you think about it, it is perfect. God's work often starts with humble beginnings. Our lives are examples of that. And our Lord when he did show up on earth, He humbled himself (Phil.2). Because of that humble obedience to the word, the world received its savior and its salvation.
      Now we are not trying to save the world by building this school, but our faith does say we can make a difference with a generation of young people. It may not be everything. Compared to what Christ did it may be small, but God warns us by asking "for who dares make light of small beginnings"(Zach. 4:10)? 
       So as I watch the nails being driven and hear the echo of the hammers, I take faith that a new day is being birth at COL, created by obedient faith to the word among us.  It may be a manger now, but someday soon it will be the point of destination for those students wanting to change the world.