I recently visited a very nice home where all the interior finishes were made of very nice ‘SOLID’ wood. The stair-railings, the window wraps and sills, the cabinets, and all trim work were made of finely crafted wood.

 

  The homeowners insisted that there be absolutely NO particle board or OSB anywhere in their home. They wanted everything to be real, solid, hardwood throughout. They didn’t want their home to be ‘good enough’. They didn’t want it to be good on the surface. They wanted it to be premium quality at its very core. A veneer ‘look-a-like’ would not satisfy them.

 

   I certainly understand that the economics of home building these days often dictates that we consider the cost before committing to these kinds of solid materials. There are many cheaper options available, which will serve the purpose and still look attractive. In some cases, these materials will be virtually indistinguishable from their more expensive counterparts on the surface; who is going to be able to look underneath anyway, right?

 

   I totally respect this instance on quality. It is a sign of commitment to a certain set of virtuous values, if not carried over to the side of being smug and superior or pompous and prideful. It is not wrong and in fact quite noble to appreciate reality and to not tolerate fraudulence. Such people do not want to fool others into ‘thinking’ that their woodwork is real. They believe that if it is presented, as solid wood-it should in fact- be solid wood. To these people it is not a matter of arrogance but of honesty; they want to make sure things truly are what they seem to be.

 

   A good case could certainly be made that this virtuous insistence on quality, would be better served if focused on matters of our spiritual development and the extra money saved by using lesser materials in construction could be used to help further the kingdom of God. Be that as it may, the stubborn insistence on authenticity, and commitment to core integrity are goals worth striving for as they pertain to our walk of faith with Jesus. King David wrote this, “You desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden parts you will make me know wisdom. (Psalm 51:6).

 

   Jesus always warned his followers to beware the Leaven of the Pharisees, which is Hypocrisy. He warned us of washing the outside of the cup but leaving the inside dirty. Some may think the homeowners above are snooty and snobbish for their insistence on solid wood materials but the better question would be; what would a king deserve? What kind of servant should we be to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Should we maintain that ‘good enough’ is good enough? Should we give the Lord a veneer-covered life that ‘looks good’ on the surface but is truly corrupt at the core?

 

   Our culture is in full-blown assault mode on core Christian values. We must be sure that we examine our hearts regularly so that we will be able to identify and stop the erosion of our foundations in Christ. Be careful of compromises where we will make choices based on ‘good enough’ to the naked eye. Beware of rationalizing sinful behavior. Be on your guard against saying things like, “It’s not THAT bad or not SO bad or it’s JUST a little bad”. The enemy of the best is the ‘good enough’.

 

   Let us endeavor by God’s grace to give the Lord a life fit for the King. Confess your failures to the Lord and ask him to help you to go deeper than the surface in making things right- no Band-Aids. We all have a lot of work to do until we truly are like Jesus. We all have failures and shortcomings but we should NEVER say that it is OK and just the way it is. We are never to be ‘satisfied’ with our failures. We should always be pressing on to higher ground and the upward call!

 

   I have failed the Lord a million times. I have failed to live up to my own ideals and standards. I have disappointed the Lord and surely broke His heart on numerous occasions but it is NEVER OK. It is never, “Oh well, I’m forgiven- no problem.” Use your failures as opportunities to give the Lord even more of your heart and let Him work even deeper. Be stubborn and insistent that you will not be satisfied until you have given the Lord your entire heart which is down to it’s very core- solidly committed to Him.