Building Castles in the Sky

Daily Devotional – Sunday, May 9, 2021

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

Proverbs 12:11 (NIV)

One of the most addictive mental attitudes is to ‘build castles in the sky’. It entails fantasising about objects, places and people one would want to have and be associated with.

A castle in the sky has no foundation. It will be swept away by the wind any time. Often, the multi-storey building collapses as soon as the ‘builder’ wakes up from the fantasy.

The architects of these castles spend precious time wishing they were someone else, with different achievements. Unfortunately, they never do anything to achieve these lofty desires.

Solomon warned us about castle-building. He also offered a solution. Today, we focus on Proverbs 12:11. The second part of this proverb reads, “…those who chase fantasies have no sense.”

Daydreamers, who do nothing to make their dreams a reality, lack sound judgement or understanding. Unless we wake up from our dreams and build foundations for our castles, we are wasting precious time.

The first part of the proverb offers the solution. “Those who work their land will have abundant food.” The law of planting and harvesting is at play, just like the law of gravity. Work hard today so you can live well tomorrow.

Those who planted enjoy the fruits of their labour, while those who fantasised must borrow or die of starvation. Daydreaming cannot replace work.

Today, choose to work for what you want instead of sitting and wishing you have it. Remember, when you do your part, God will bless the work of your hands (Psalm 90:17).

Father, help me realise the blessings you have placed in my work.