Revelation 3:12

God's Pillars

He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Revelation 3:12.

A few miles out of Edinburgh there is a wonderful old building called Rosslyn Chapel. From far and near people go to see Rosslyn and to admire its fair arches, its stately pillars, and its exquisite carvings. But the most lovely thing in all that beautiful chapel is a pillar called the “'Prentice pillar.” Straight and tall it rises from the ground, and round it twine wreaths of flowers marvelously carved.

That pillar has a legend attached to it. It is said that when the chapel was being built the master-builder resolved that he would have one pillar of surpassing beauty. And in order that it might be specially lovely he determined to make a journey to Italy to view the finest pillars in the churches and cathedrals there, and to make drawings of the best of them.

But while the master was away he left an apprentice boy at home, and this boy resolved that he would carve one of the pillars in the chapel. So, day by day, with love and wonderful skill, he hammered and chiseled, until around the pillar there clung fair wreaths of flowers.

And just as he had finished his task the master returned. He went to the chapel to see how the work had progressed in his absence, and there before him stood a pillar more beautiful than any he had seen or copied, far more beautiful than any he could ever hope to carve.

Now God needs pillars in this world. He needs them to make the world strong and beautiful, and God specially wants the boys and girls to be pillars for Him. But God not only needs pillars, He carves them. And when He forms them He chooses not just marble, or granite, or bronze. God can make His pillars out of the plainest and meanest material. Out of a very ordinary boy or girl He can carve a pillar far finer and nobler than even the pillar of the 'prentice boy of Rosslyn. All that we need to do is just to give the material into His hands.

There are three marks by which we know God's pillars, and if they are true pillars for Him they should bear these marks.

1. They must be strong. A weak pillar is of no use to keep up the roof of a building or support a gallery. If it is not strong then the building that is depending on it will tumble down. And so God's pillars must be strong strong to choose the right, strong to help people weaker than themselves and to bear their burdens.

2. And then God's pillars must be straight. A pillar may be ever so strong, but if it is not straight it can't be relied on. And so God's pillars must be absolutely straight and reliable. They must scorn deceit and untruth. They must be above the things that are mean and spiteful. They must be dependable.

3. Once more, God's pillars must be beautiful. There are plenty of people who are strong and straight, but not beautiful. You can lean upon them and you can always depend on them, but they are rough and unsympathetic in their ways; and so a great deal of their usefulness is spoiled. Don't forget that God needs beauty as well as strength and straightness.

There is another church near Edinburgh, a modern church, where there is also some beautiful carved work. It was built a few years ago, and when it was nearly finished the minister took a friend into it to show him the carvings and to explain them. There were a number of fine pillars in the church, and round the top of each pillar there was some very wonderful carved work. And there was one thing the minister pointed out the farther into the church he and his friend went the more beautiful were the pillars. At the door they were comparatively plain, but they grew more and more lovely until the two nearest to the communion table were reached. These were the most exquisite of all.

Now it is just like that with us, boys and girls. We may start by being very plain pillars indeed, but if we keep near to God He can carve us into something that is very beautiful and noble, and the nearer we keep to Him the finer we shall become.

So don't forget to ask God to make you into pillars for His temple in this world and the next. Don't just lie about as useless blocks of stone that get in other people's way and trip them up. Make up your mind that you will be of use in the world. Ask God to make you into pillars, strong, and straight, and beautiful.