Hidden Voids
Psalm 51:6
PLAN OF THE DAY
I will not hide my flaws. I will seek out the hidden weaknesses in my work, building myself up to hold life’s heavy loads.
READ PSALM 51:6
“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” (ESV)
Hidden Voids
When concrete is poured into a form, it traps air. If that air isn’t removed, it creates pockets of empty space called voids. If you break open a bit of concrete and see a series of voids, that is called honeycombing. There is procedure used when pouring concrete to avoid honeycombing. We use a concrete vibrator or stinger. The stinger is dropped into the freshly poured concrete and thrust all the way to bottom of the lift. It is then pulled out slowly — about one inch per second. If you drag it horizontally or hang around in one spot too long, the aggregate becomes separated from the cement and weakens the concrete. If you aren’t thorough or remove the stinger too fast, the air stays trapped and lowers the concrete’s strength.
You may have read in the news about the buildings in Venezuela that failed after the recent earthquake. Once the concrete was exposed it was full of honeycombing due to poor construction technique and in some places the concrete was filled up with styrofoam to save cost. When the load came, it failed and unfortunately many lives were lost.
David wrote Psalm 51 after his greatest failure. On reflection, he came to realize that God cares about the inward being, not just the smooth, finished surface we show to the rest of the world.
It’s not hard to trowel over our hidden sins, our pride, or our frustrations in order to look strong. Unfortunately those hidden voids weaken our spirit. When the heavy loads of life — stress, tragedy, or conflict — are placed on us, we crack.
God’s Word and His Spirit should shake us up like the stinger does fresh concrete. His word brings the defects out so it they can healed and make us solid through and through.
Do the job today. Build well and let God build the spiritual capacity of your heart.
Faith in Action
Witnessing through our work means living these principles where we stand. Here is how you can apply this devotional today:
For the Laborer and Apprentice: Don’t Rush the Stinger
The Action: When vibrating a pour, stick strictly to the 1-inch-per-second rule on the way up. Watch the bubbles break on the surface. Resist the need for speed.
The Witness: You show integrity. You are doing the hard, invisible work that no one will see once the concrete cures.
For the Journeyman: Control the Placement
The Action: Ensure the concrete is being placed as close to its final destination as possible. Don’t let your finishing crew use the vibrator to push the concrete horizontally across the form.
The Witness: You model discipline. You plan sufficiently to build the work with integrity.
For the Foreman: Value the Secret Heart of the Job
The Action: During the pre-pour meeting, don’t just talk about yardage and time. Talk about consolidation. Talk to your team about the steps necessary to ensure quality work.
The Witness: You reflect God’s priorities. You lead your crew to value what is on the inside as much as the finished surface.
Prayer
Master Builder, search me today. Show me the hidden voids in my own life — the secret pride, the hidden anger. I want to hold up under pressure. As I do my work today, remind me that following Your plan is what builds true strength. Amen.