Dear all,

I am sharing with you two parables I am finding meaningful this week. Allow the stories to inspire you in any way they can.

1.     A parable of three Bricklayers

The story of Three Bricklayers is a multi-faceted parable with many variations but is rooted in an authentic story.

After the great fire of 1666 that levelled London, the world’s most famous architect, Christopher Wren, was commissioned to rebuild St Paul’s Cathedral.

One day in 1671, Christopher Wren observed three bricklayers on a scaffold, one crouched, one half-standing and one standing tall, working very hard and fast. Christopher Wren asked the first bricklayer, “What are you doing?” to which the bricklayer replied, “I’m a bricklayer. I’m working hard, laying bricks to feed my family.” The second bricklayer responded, “I’m a builder. I’m building a wall.” But the third bricklayer, when asked, “What are you doing?” replied with a gleam in his eye, “I’m a cathedral builder. I’m building a great cathedral to The Almighty.”

2.     The Defeat of the Amalekites- Exodus 17

8After this, the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.”

10Joshua did as Moses had instructed him and fought against the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

11As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed. 12When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.

13So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his army with the sword.

14Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua, because I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”

15And Moses built an altar and named it The LORD Is My Banner.e 16“Indeed,” he said, “a hand was lifted up toward the throne of the LORD. The LORD will war against Amalek from generation to generation.”

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The story of the three bricklayers tells of three people working on the same wall, doing the same work, but with different perspectives. From this story, many analogies and applications can be drawn. Some of these include the importance of:

Big Picture Thinking – Seeing the result and how your work contributes to that end.

Attitude – A positive attitude and pride in your work and your motivation will show up in your work.

Connection to the Organization’s Mission – Employees rightly connected to the organisation’s mission, vision, values, and goals are happier, more engaged, and more productive.

This term has allowed you to exercise and live out your purpose in life. Whatever your station in your life at the moment, you are building the cathedral to the Almighty.

The defeat of the Amalekites reminds me of the people who raise their arms while I do my business or pursue my purpose. Bless those who make it possible for you to do what you do. This mid-term break might be an opportunity to express gratitude to them for holding their arms up for you while you battle.

Go gently.

Br. Nsamu