The largest timber framed building in the USA is a 31,000 square foot church in Powell Ohio. It was constructed under the supervision of the Amish master barn-builder Josie Miller and was the 500th barn-like structure built by Josie and his crew. The joints of each beam were cut by hand.

As Josie and his sons looked over the designs for the new building and explained the construction process to the workers they would refer to the beams as 'fellows' and 'guys'. They'd say things like: "This guy belongs over here where he will join with this fellow and let's take this guy and place him here so he can be a support to this fellow here."

In a sense this is what the Triune Godhead does as He looks over the construction process of the church. The Father says to the Son and the Holy Spirit, "Let's take this guy and put him in relationship with this fellow here. Let's bring this fellow in contact with this guy over here so he can be his support."

The Lord Jesus is the Master-builder. He says, "I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18). He takes the Father's plans and implements them through the foremanship of the Holy Spirit. We "are being built together to become a dwelling in  which God lives by his Spirit." (Ephesians 2:22).

As we read the Book of Acts, we can almost hear the Divine instructions being given for the building up of the early church: "Let's take this beam of a man, Saul of Tarsus, who once was a proud Pharisee, but has been skillfully cut down and fashioned to be a choice servant. Let's make him an apostle and use him as a major support beam extending the gospel to the nations. In order to do this we must bring him into relationship with this fellow here, Barnabas, the one known as the 'son of encouragement'. For he is a good man, full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit. Saul will become known as Paul. He will be supported and mentored by Barnabas in seeing how the deep revelations I have given him can be practically implemented in the local church. Let's take this guy, Peter, and bring him into contact with this Italian lieutenant, Cornelius, so this part of the building can be extend further into the Gentile world. Let's bring this fellow, Philip, the evangelist, and have him cross paths with this Ethiopian, so that the building will rise and gain more southern exposure! Barnabas' nephew, John Mark is a real asset, but Paul does not see this yet, so we will put him over here for the time being, alongside Barnabas." (See Acts 8- 11; 12:37-40; 2Timothy 4:11).

The construction program continues. The Divine architect has a place for you in His building. Listen to the instructions of the Holy Spirit. Let Him guide you into relationships that will help you be all that God wants you to be. We are fashioned to be in relationship with other believers. Who is it that you are called alongside to serve in partnership with in the work of the gospel? Whom are you called to support? Whom are you called to encourage or mentor? From whom can you be learning?