Have you ever noticed the signage at a construction site? One of the signs that always stands out to me is the one that says, "Pardon Our Dust...." Usually the phrase is accompanied by additional words explaining how the construction is necessary for improvement.
The sign, "Pardon Our Dust...." is meant to make us feel good about the construction instead of annoyed by it--to see it as a sign of progress rather than a frustrating impediment.
Perhaps if we all wore such signs on our bodies we might better appreciate the incredible transformation we are all undergoing on our journey through sanctification.
The very moment we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead we receive the gift of salvation. However, working out our soul's salvation, or applying that gift on this side of glory is a daily process. Being saved on Sunday doesn't make us perfect on Monday. It just sets us on course to press toward the mark.
When we remember that we are all under construction, hopefully we will begin to be a little more patient with one another--and ourselves! Being mindful of our construction zones also reminds us that we must be more careful with one another--after all, construction workers don't wear hard hats as a fashion statement!
Construction zones are dangerous places. There is always the possibility of flying debris hurtling from above, or gaping holes and large obstacles lurking below. That's why, when we are at the most intense phase of our construction, it may not the best time to initiate new relationships. We may feel vulnerable during this time and desirous of companionship, but someone could get seriously injured by some of the junk that flies off of us as God chips away at the crusty barnacles we have accumulated through life.
Perhaps the best thing to say when someone wants to get close to us during a dangerous time is, "Pardon my dust" and tell them to stay clear until the construction is complete. Of course, most of us don't do that. We do just the opposite. We pull people into our construction zones with no warning, no signage, and worst of all, no hard hat! Those poor souls often have no clue that they've even entered into a construction zone until they come to the end of a road and realize...there IS no end to the road because the construction hasn't been completed!
Whoever and whatever is meant for us will be there for us at the end of construction. So, we shouldn't try to deny or hide the fact that we are a work in progress. We only complicate or hinder the process by having people on the site who don't belong there. If we've already committed to a marriage, a ministry or a business with someone, it's still not too late to ask them to "pardon our dust."
Those closest to us might actually find it refreshing and encouraging to hear us finally acknowledge what they've been dealing with all along. In fact, with everything in the open, those closest to us can then become our allies instead of scapegoats. And, they might be a lot more willing to don a hard hat--maybe even safety goggles--when we lovingly and honestly implore them to "Pardon Our Dust...."
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
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