Build A Monument

What do you think of when you see a poppy around Remembrance Day or the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? What about a special memento you have kept for many years? We set up statues and monuments and keep souvenirs or mementos because they remind of us of something. They make us to pause and reflect on what it represents.

In Joshua 4:20-24, we see the children of Israel and Joshua, their leader, set up stone monuments to remind themselves and future generations of what God did for them. Joshua told the people that when their children and future descendants ask what the rocks are for, they can say, “‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over,” (NKJV).

Many times, our difficulties and hard seasons of life overshadow the good things. We can get so focused on what is going wrong that we overlook the blessings in our lives.

What are you building monuments for? Are you reminding others only about the hard times you went through? Will those around you only see the pain and the bitterness you harbour? Or are they going to see how you rely on the Lord for strength? How you trust Him to protect and sustain you and your family? Will others remember the joy of the Lord you displayed even when you were in pain?

“Building a monument” for what God has done doesn’t have to be something physical like a statue or the stone monument the Israelites built. In our lives, it may be something as simple as telling others your testimony or journalling about the wonders God has done and the lessons He’s taught you. Building a monument may even be making the decision to think and talk about your blessings rather than complaining or dwelling on the negative things.

It's bringing attention to how God has blessed, protected, and provided for you. It’s focusing on His goodness, faithfulness, and power.

Build monuments of the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness in your life that others will notice. Not only will it glorify God, but it will bring you joy and peace to remember Who it is you serve and what He is capable of.

Let’s build these monuments together.

-Olivia

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