Counting the Cost — Tested Blueprints & True Foundations: : "Flying the Plane While Building It”

millicentassoc
Sep 7
2 min read

— Millicent V. Brown

Flying while still building — a reminder that only God holds the true flight plan.

Opening Reflection

Sometimes life feels like we’re “flying the plane while building it.” It sounds bold, even innovative — but the truth is, if I were really on that plane, I wouldn’t want to be on board! That phrase came back to me in prayer this morning, along with another image: crash test dummies.

Cars, before they’re released, go through rigorous testing. They’re slammed into walls, flipped upside down, exposed to fire, water, and weight. Why? To make sure they’re safe. To make sure the design holds up when real life hits. That’s counting the cost.

And spiritually? God often takes us through seasons of testing — not to break us, but to build us. To refine the blueprint so what He’s constructing in us will last.

Anchoring Scriptures

Luke 14:28 — “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
Proverbs 24:3-4 — “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”
Galatians 5:22-23 — The fruit of the Spirit is the real building material: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Connection to Solomon & Jesus

Solomon’s Temple: Solomon built because his father David had prepared every resource. Provision came first, before the building. (1 Chronicles 22)
Jesus’ Church: Jesus builds His church because the Father supplies every need — even unto the cross, resurrection, and eternal life. (Matthew 16:18)

The pattern is clear: when the Father provides, the Son builds. That’s why our striving never works apart from God. His provision makes the building possible.

The Deeper Call: Selah & Statio

Selah — pause to breathe, to let God refresh.
Statio — pause before the next thing, to wait in His presence for instruction.

Sometimes counting the cost looks like stopping long enough for God to recalculate the blueprint.

Reflection Questions

Am I building something God actually designed, or something that just sounds impressive?
Where has God invited me to pause and test the foundation before moving forward?
Am I using human discipline and consistency alone, or am I rooted in God’s faithfulness?

Affirmation

“I trust the Wise Master Builder. His blueprint for me is tested, true, and trustworthy. I choose His foundation over my own striving.”

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You for being the Architect and the Builder of my life. Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to rush ahead or patch together blueprints of my own making. Help me embrace Your testing not as punishment but preparation. Teach me to pause, to listen, to follow Your voice — for only what You build will endure. In Jesus’ name, Amen.