The Empire State Building in New York City was built at one of the lowest times in America’s history.
The final stages of planning came together in 1929, one of the most prosperous times in America’s history. The Stock Market was running at an all-time high, and money was pouring in hand over fist. All someone had to do was walk down Wall Street to become rich, some quipped at the time.
By the start of excavation in January 1930, America was in a downward economic spiral. Even so, construction went ahead full steam. The building was finished months ahead of schedule, to a celebratory opening in May 1931. Due to its lack of tenants, it was sometimes called the “Empty State Building.”
The Empire State Building did not become profitable until 1950. Today it is one of the most iconic structures in the world, and in 2011, after a major renovation, it received a gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating, the tallest building in the United States to earn this prestigious award.
All this from a building that many considered a failure at the onset of construction.
What obstacles do we face in the construction of our Christian lives? Are we poor? Divorced? Molested as children? Or do we come from a background where money is considered more important than God? What keeps our Christian edifice from rising high above the people around us, and becoming a beacon of inspiration to the entire world?
Romans 12:1 gives us our construction plans:
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
2 Peter 1:1 reminds us of our foundations:
“Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:”
Romans 12:2 assures us the world’s downturns don’t dictate our building schedule:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Mark 13:1-5 warns us that only our spiritual edifices will endure:
“And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.’ And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?’ And Jesus began to say to them, ‘See that no one leads you astray.’ ”
When we begin on our Christian walk, others may look at us and see only the failures we have made. When we toss off the world’s encumbrances to make room for Christ as our foundation stone, they may see only an empty hole. However, even if it takes twenty years for Christ to turn us around into the Christian he wishes us to be, there is one thing we must always keep in mind.
People loved the Empire State Building even when it was an empty shell, tenantless and unprofitable. The proof? In the first year it brought in more money from the observation deck than from rent.
When we build our Empire State Building, we have to discount the naysayers, look to the future, and continually strive to be the best we can be. Then we will become an iconic standard for Jesus, and he will make his mark on the world through us.
When we build for Jesus, we build for the long term. Let’s build well.
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