Mensa Otabil - Build Something (10/03/2025)
Exodus chapter 36, verse 8: Then all the gifted artisans among them who worked on the tabernacle made ten curtains woven of fine linen and of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, with artistic designs of cherubim; they made them. This verse describes how the tabernacle of God was built by Israel in the wilderness. God gave the pattern, the idea, and the concept, and then He called people. Throughout Exodus chapter 36, there is mention of what they made. We’ve talked about having fruitful thoughts and also speaking fruitful words, but it doesn’t end with thinking and speaking alone; it also has to include making or doing something.
If we want to be fruitful, we have to build something, make something, and bring an idea into reality. Everything around us-just take a look around-everything from vehicles to buildings, bridges, cameras, the clothes you wear, the toothpaste you use, and the bed you sleep on, was made by someone. It was either created by God in its original state, or somebody took the things that God has created and manufactured something for you to use. Each of these started as an idea; someone had an idea, the thought was in their mind, and they probably spoke about it. They wrote about it, submitted proposals, and convinced people that this idea could become a reality. Then they got to work and produced it. That is the process everything goes through.
So, if we’re going to be fruitful, we must think fruitful thoughts; that’s great. We have to speak fruitful words, but we must also build something, produce something fruitful. The question you have to ask yourself is: What have I built? What have I produced? What have I done with all the thoughts I have, or the words I have, all the grace God has given me, or the ideas God has given me? Where is my fruit? Where is my building? Because usually, the first thing people use to assess you is what you’ve built. If you go for an interview and submit a polished resume, perhaps presenting a colorful version with flowery words and various adjectives to describe yourself, emphasizing how goal-oriented and task-oriented you are, and how you are a great team builder, in the end, what the interview is looking for is not those descriptions. They want to know: What have you done? What have you built? What have you achieved in the places you’ve worked? What are your footprints? Where is the fruit of your work?
That is what God wants us to do. When God inspects our lives, He’s not just looking for reassurances or encouragement from us; He’s looking for what we have done with what He has given us. So, experience is not about how long you have lived; it’s good to live long, but it’s not about longevity. Experience is about how well you have built because there are those who live very long and produce nothing. They have nothing to point to and say, «This is my achievement. This is something I started and finished. This is what I did in that company. This is what I accomplished.» They just walk through life accumulating a lot of history, but very little fruit.
God did not just leave His people at the thinking stage or the planning stage; He got His people to start working. The structures you build, the things you are able to construct-I’m not just talking about building tables-I’m talking about everything you build: a business, an idea, a book you wrote, a song you composed. Whatever you produce reveals the gifts that God has given you, and it is on that basis that God decides whether to add more to you or take away from you. I pray that when God visits you, He will add more and more to your gifts because you keep producing, building, and producing fruit that will be your testimony.
Let us pray. Say with me: Heavenly Father, You made me to also create things; help me bring the ideas You give me into reality. In Jesus' name, Amen. You are going to be a fruit producer. I am Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.