There was a time when I rented an apartment in a basement, and I asked the owner of the house for permission to expand our living space. He agreed. I drew up a plan, made a doorway in the wall adjoining the basement, prepared materials for the partitions, and began building them, incorporating part of the basement into my new apartment. My four-year-old daughter volunteered to be my helper, so I set aside some tools and materials for her and kept an eye on what she would build. Her enthusiasm knew no bounds. She worked with all her heart, creating something unlike anything else. I could hardly think of a name for her structure, but it was her masterpiece, and it brought great joy to her heart. As a loving father, I praised her, and together we enjoyed what we were doing. In the end, we had a new room—and something very strange standing in the middle of it. We decided to leave the walls in place but dismantle our daughter’s strange masterpiece. Our joy knew no bounds when we realized that we now had a larger apartment for the same rent. Several years later, however, the owner of the house died, and we had to move elsewhere.
As I worked in construction and renovated other people’s homes, I often noticed that the owners were always delighted with what I did. I would think about how happy I would be if I were building for myself. Yet because of certain circumstances, I never ventured to take that step.
At last, my dream has come true. I am building my own little house of happiness, in which I will live forever and forever rejoice in its strong walls and firm Foundation.
The next brick for my little house of happiness is called “I build happiness.” I believe that the very process of building my happiness brings that happiness into my life. If it does not, then I am doing something wrong, doing it in the wrong way, or using the wrong materials. When I have God’s plans and set before myself a goal toward which I begin to move, I have every opportunity to build what is called happiness. Knowledge of the theory helps me choose the most suitable materials for my little house and build upon the firmest Foundation.
Without a plan, without knowing the laws of construction, or without understanding the materials, I too will build something, and it will delight my heart until trials come. Then I will sit in the dampness of my tears and shiver from the cold of my fears, unable to understand why everything is so bad, even though I am a believer who has read the Bible and attended worship services all my life.
Every kind of construction has its laws and rests upon them, not upon my imagination. If the walls and all the load-bearing structures have been built properly, the house can be furnished however one wishes and painted any color.
But after building happiness, I must continually inspect it and protect it from damage and plunder, because the world in which I still live is very dangerous and unpredictable.
I build happiness. This is perhaps the most fascinating occupation of my life, and the little word “I” gives special meaning to the process under way and opens the captivating prospect of building throughout Eternity. My personal participation in constructing my little house of happiness brings remarkable satisfaction to my heart. I understand that if I begin to build and adhere to all of God’s designs and the laws of construction, I will build precisely what is called happiness. But whether or not I will be happy within it is also for me to decide. And I choose happiness.
Many questions arise:
What are we building? Happiness.
Are you sure we will succeed? Yes, because the Bible teaches this.
Will it withstand the trials to come? Yes, if all the necessary materials are present and there are no breaches in it.
Are you sure this is the very house needed for the last days? Yes, this one, because we have been given no instructions for any other structure. Therefore, we should not invent something that has no biblical foundation.
But not everyone wants to build. Will no alternative be given to others? God will give His light to everyone who has a relationship with Him and will convince each person that it is necessary to build, upon Whom to build, and what materials to use in the work.
I do not believe in your construction project; it sounds rather absurd and childish! That is your right and your choice. You may call it by another name, but the laws of construction will remain the same, and the building materials will not change.
Are you not being overly self-confident in your undertakings? If I build according to God’s laws, this is called trusting in the One Who never makes a mistake and having confidence in the Salvation given to everyone who chooses the narrow path.
What if I refuse to believe you and choose a better path? You do not need to believe me. Believe God and follow Him, and we will certainly meet. Our paths will cross. If we are traveling south but each chooses his own route according to his own compass, we will all meet at the South Pole at the end of the journey. So have a good journey, friends.
What if it turns out that you are deceiving us and leading us astray with your stories, and that we will all perish if we believe your publications? If there is deceit in my words, God’s Spirit will certainly show it to you and, on the basis of the Bible, give you a correct understanding of the person with whom you are dealing.
You are most likely a performer who wants to gain more followers! If my followers enter Eternity because of my publications, then I am willing to play this role until the Second Coming.
But you are building outside the Church, and you have no official construction permit from the governing body of God’s Organization! Our work does not contradict God’s requirements; it is founded upon His counsels and laws and is directed toward building up the body of the Church and strengthening the love of its members for one another within this Organization of God. It is not an independent channel for the salvation of a narrow circle of chosen people.
Everything we build is not done in a corner. We are open to every examination and will welcome any suggestions and recommendations. We are also very happy as we carry out this important work.
What is your attitude toward politics? We are not of this world. We have more important work to do, and we have no time to be distracted by what is temporary and changeable.
I am bored with you. You have so much material, and it all requires a great deal of time, which I do not have! We too have no time for what is passing away, but we find and set aside time for what is Eternal. Once I have established my priorities, I will not do what I consider unimportant and unnecessary. Every construction project requires time, which must be found, set apart, and invested in exchange for the goods offered to Laodicea. The house will not build itself without my effort; without my knowledge it will not be strong; and without God it will not be protected.
You irritate me! Like a parrot, you talk about nothing but love, happiness, and friendship!!! There are many parrots in our world; choose one that suits your heart. As for us, we are building happiness, and we are very happy. We love one another and are becoming friends forever. We will never grow weary of telling others about it. God is with us, teaching us this love, and we are succeeding. What joy it is!
It would be strange to build happiness and be unhappy while doing so.
Bible verses for this chapter:
Genesis 6:11–17; Luke 17:26–30; 6:46–49; Exodus 36:1–2; 39:32; 40:16, 34–35; Psalm 118:21–26; 1 Corinthians 3:9–17; 4:1–5; Ephesians 3:2–21; Titus 1:7; Colossians 1:25–27; 1 Peter 4:10