Evidently, the world has underestimated the havoc of the COVID-19. The scramble for a solution to arrest the pandemic has caused knee-jerk reactions and self-professed experts to flood the social media. Thus, the Executive Order to extend the Enhanced Community Quarantine for Luzon has been dividedly received. There are reported sporadic chaos and panic. Yet, others see opportunity to extend help. One problem but perceived differently, why is it?
Having had the opportunity to be involved in construction projects and developments, I know the complexity involved in planning, design, coordination, mobilization, development, and more. The initial stages is the messiest—it involves mobilization of manpower, equipment, and materials; excavation, earth moving, hauling; etc. Always, there is a regular scheduled meeting presided by the project architect. He ensures that the vision is executed.
History is brimming with great architects and builders. During the 15th century, Rome had Marcus Vitruvius Pollio; Italy boasts of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1513); England, Christopher Wren (1632-1723); America, Daniel Burnham (1846-1912); Catalan prides over Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926).
During my architectural studies at the UP, some of the architects we studied were Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), Walter Gropius (1883-1969), Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe (1886-1969), Le Corbusier (1887-1965), Alvar Aalto (1889-1976), Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983), Marcel Breuer (1902-1981), Philip Johnson (1906-2005), Eero Saarinen (1910-1961).
Next generation architecture students added I.M. Pei (1917-2019), Leandro Locsin (1928-1994), Frank Gehry (1929-2020), Michael Graves (1934-2015), Norman Foster (1935-2019), Renzo Piano (1937-2019), Zaha Hadid (1950-2016), and more.
In the hands of great architects and builders, we endure the mess; their authority lends confidence to the anticipated final-outcome of a project.
Faith assures us that God is sovereign, he is Creator, the Architect or Master Builder who gives attention to the minutest of detail whether it be an ark,1 a sanctuary,2 or a temple.3
At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe for our God is a consuming fire.4
‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’. . . ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’5
If by grace you have received the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus,6 you need not be moved by anything.7 God is in control. He declares the end from the beginning.8 Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished.”9
Notes:
1. Genesis 6:14-16
2. Exodus 25-27
3. 1 Kings 5-6
4. Hebrews 12:26-29
5. Matthew 13:27-30
6. Ephesians 2:8-10
7. Psalm 16:8
8. Isaiah 46:10
9. John 19:30
