If You Build It...

In the 1989 film, "Field of Dreams," an Iowa farmer, Ray (Kevin Costner), builds a baseball diamond on his farm and ghosts of great ball players of the past, led by Shoeless Joe Jackson, started coming out of the cornfield to play ball.  It was a very spirited film (sorry, I lost control for a moment).

The building, however, was not truly the transformation of the field that was the deeper point of the movie.  The transformation was found in the heart of Ray, whose heart was opened to invite the presence and receive the love of his own Father.  In the process, enough player from the past came to field two teams and people came from all over to bear witness to this remarkable game.

Although they came, the players and the fans, it was not "they" but "he" that was promised to come if it was built.  The building was not really field and the coming was not really the crowds.  Think about the theological implication and the religious application of this tag line: If Ray's heart was conditioned properly, his Father would come and when his Father came, so did all the rest.

Many a Christian congregation have built a new facility or launched a new program with the hopes that people will be drawn to it or by it but have been disappointed with the outcome.  The problem has been that we so often focus on drawing a crowd to a building or event instead of inviting our Father by the transformation or building of our hearts.

The crowds are not drawn or sustained by our building something and the crowds ought not be the object of our focus.  We ought to be focused on our Father and seeking to invite him into our hearts and lives.  When that happens, then others will come as they "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Ps 34:8).

It is not when we elevate ourselves, build up our buildings or highlight our programs that others are drawn but rather when Jesus is lifted up, he will "draw all men to [himself]" (Jn 12:32).  If we will make room for the Father in our hearts, the Spirit of God will move in.  The love and holiness of God will attract others and sustain those who come.  Jus' Say'n.