Monday, November 7, 2011

Becoming a Pillar

Day three hundred nine

My thoughts seem to have carried over from my prayer this morning into my scripture study.  As I was reading through 2 Chronicles I came to chapter 3:15-17.  These verses talk about the pillars that Solomon built for the templeThe word pillar brought to mind a quote by Grace Kelly:  "Women's natural role is to be a pillar of the family."

My interest was piqued.  What could I learn about becoming a pillar?

2 Chronicles 3:15-17

A pillar is what holds things up. It’s what keeps the roof from falling in. The pillars Solomon builds are quite impressive:

"Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the chapiter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.  And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.  And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz."  (2 Chron 3:15-17)

The fact that Solomon named the pillars is interesting. The names, “Jachin” and “Boaz” meant “He shall establish” and “In it is strength”. These two pillars stood before the entrance of the temple. Thus, every time you came to the temple, before you would even enter it, you were reminded that God had established the nation and it is only by His strength that the nation will stand. It was important to have the right perspective of things before you entered the temple.

He Shall Establish
As a woman I have been blessed with the opportunity to experience childbirth and to establish a family.  In order to be effective in establishing our families there are a few things that the Lord has asked us to do:

Pre Family
Follow the Law of Chastity (before and after marriage)
Follow the Word of Wisdom
Build a strong relationship with Him (prayer, scripture reading, tithing, repentance, etc)
Be prepared in every needful thing (a house of order, be organized, etc)

With Family
Keep doing all the things on the above list and add:
Be sealed to each other
Share your testimony
Teach them about God
Invite the Spirit into your home
Be prepared to love and forgive like crazy

Now this isn't a complete list, but it gives you some idea of what it takes to establish a family with God.

In It Is Strength
I love the thought that the members of my family would find our home a place of strength.  A place where the following principles are practiced:

"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death." (D&C 121:41-44)

How great would it be if every family lived by these principles!  We would have children and parents who every time they entered their home would be reminded that it is the Lord that established their family, and it is the Lord's strength that keeps it together.  Each member of the family would have the proper perspective of who they are - a child of God - and what their purpose is - to do God's will to the best of our abilities.  Including supporting each other!

God promises to make us pillars
God wants to make us people who others can look to for help in establishing their own families and find the strength they need to do it.  We are to be "living" pillars for those around us to see.
A reminder of what God wants for His people.  How do we do this?

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name." (Rev 3:12)

So to become a "pillar" we have to overcome and endure to the end. Becoming a pillar is a lifelong process.  The pillars that were built for the temple were meant to last a very long time and to withstand the enemy.  The pillars stood as long as the people were righteous, it took extreme wickedness before the Lord let the pillars be broken. 

The same is true in our families, we are meant to be pillars for a lifetime, to help each other withstand the attacks of the enemy.  It is through sin that we weaken and compromise our ability to support ourselves and others.

Materials
My last thoughts on becoming a pillar have to do with the materials that were used to make the pillars.  Solomon used only the finest materials to build the temple: rest assured that God did the same when He created you.  You are His finest work, designed and created to fulfill your purpose here on earth to its fullest.  Everything you need to succeed has or will be given to you if you ask.  What you perceive as imperfections the Lord has put there for a purpose.  Where you see cracks in your pillar, He sees the opportunity for you to lean on Him and find strength.  He is the greatest, architect, engineer and builder that I know!

I think Grace Kelly's quote is true, but I believe it is true for all people not just for women.  It could read, "Everyone's natural role is to be a pillar in the family."  And it is far more reaching than our own personal family; it includes our church family, and the human family.

We are all in the process of becoming a pillar. Each person learning to support the next until our strength can withstand the enemy.  It makes me think I need to make sure that I am prepared to carry the load.  Luckily, I do not have to do it alone!

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