If He Comes, He Will Build It (The Presence-Driven Church)

In the movie "Field of Dreams" we heard words that have since been immortalized and even used in Christian circles: "If you build it, he will come." This was about building a ball diamond in the middle of the Iowa cornfields. When the father finally emerged through the corn rows and played catch with his son tears came to my eyes. What a meaningful scene. I could not help but think of my dad, playing ball with me.

As beautiful as that is, there is no profound analogy between the movie and the father's appearance and the kingdom of God and God's appearing presence. Spiritually, it's not true that "If you build it [something, whatever], then God will show up."

But...  When God comes, he will build it. That's true. When it comes to building God's kingdom, God's earth-shattering, empowering presence comes first. 

First: God comes.

Second: God builds.

Where God comes he builds (edifies). What God builds is his kingdom. Jesus-followers are then invited to join him in The Great Edifying, The Great Upbuilding.

First: God's presence.

Second: God guides and empowers us to build.

If He comes, he and you will build it, empowered by God's Spirit.