No Really; You Didn’t Build That
During a campaign speech, a former president once addressed our nation by telling us that we, in fact, “didn’t build that”. He meant that builders, entrepreneurs, and the like were dependent upon government services, such as building and repairing roads, before they were able to build their own businesses. While many took offense to his words, his point was that there was an interconnectedness between humans, such that none of us was an island unto ourselves. None of us had accomplished, or built anything, completely on our own.
Most entrepreneurs would disagree. We don’t want to be dependent on anyone or anything. In fact, some of us would argue we did build “that”, whatever “that” may be. We want to think we don’t need any help. The idea was our own. The plan was our own. The perfect execution and success, was also our own. We confidently claim it all. We did it, all on our own.
We know from verse 6 in Psalm 30, that David had a moment when he was so sure of his own standing, that he proclaims, “When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken”. There is a bit of a shift in verse 7, however. David continues, “O Lord, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed”.
Well, there’s a rollercoaster of emotions, right there, in just two verses. David was so very human, that when he was on top, he believed he would not be shaken, ever.
I’ve known that elation, too. I’ve experienced such unexpected success, that I believed nothing really could go wrong. On one occasion, I believed I had accomplished a certain workplace financial goal completely on my own, with my knowledge and brainpower. I owned it, and I did it all.
Nope. I remember coming home late one night after that very successful day at work. Financial services has many highs, and just as many lows. That evening, as I was walking into my building, I was reviewing all the things that went very, very right that workday, and the accolades that had started to come my way. Like David, I really couldn’t be shaken.
By the time I reached my overpriced apartment, I’m not sure how I was able to squeeze my ego through the door! But there was no mistaking what happened next; I decided to read my Bible, and I opened to Deuteronomy.
Now, ordinarily, I’m not a proponent of flipping open to any scripture page, and claiming the promise therein. However, on that night, the page did open to Deuteronomy 8:17-18, and I knew, without a doubt, God was admonishing and correcting me. The verses say, “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me. But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth’”.
If that moment wasn’t a clear message from God Himself, then I don’t know what is. I needed that reminding. I, in fact, actually was not a brilliant strategist or investor. God was. I hadn’t done anything at all in my own strength. You might say I didn’t build that. God did.
We don’t know, from Psalm 30, what David specifically means when he feels on top of the world. But it was likely his riches, power and fame; all of which are intoxicating. We do know that God was displeased, because He hid his face from David.
There is a real freedom when we give everything we have, and everything we are, to God, and ensure all glory goes to Him, where it belongs. Our heavenly Father will withhold no good thing from us. He only expects His rightful place in our lives, and acknowledgement of who He is.
We didn’t build anything at all. He did it. May the glory and honor be His alone.
~ Originally from New York, Gerry Lutzel has been a NC resident since 2017 and currently teaches in the women’s Bible study. She also serves at Guest Services on Sunday mornings.