Building Our Lives with God: Lessons from Lego
Introduction
Today, I want to take you on a unique journey into the world of Lego. These colourful building blocks have been a source of creativity and joy for generations.
Lego, the beloved Danish toy company known for its iconic plastic bricks, has an interesting history and some remarkable facts. Here are a few:
1. Origins in Denmark
Founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen, Lego started as a small carpentry workshop in Billund, Denmark. Originally, it produced wooden toys before switching to plastic in the late 1940s.
The name LEGO comes from the Danish phrase "leg godt," which means "play well." Ironically, it also means "I put together" in Latin.
2. First Plastic Bricks
Lego began producing plastic interlocking bricks in 1949. However, the modern Lego brick design was patented on 28 January 1958. The design has remained largely unchanged since then, ensuring compatibility between Lego sets across generations.
3. Global Popularity
Over 600 billion Lego bricks have been produced since the company’s inception. On average, there are 86 Lego bricks for every person on Earth.
Lego is so popular that it's estimated seven Lego sets are sold every second around the world.
Lego is popular, but it is estimated that every second, 50 Bibles are sold or distributed worldwide.
4. Minifigures
Lego introduced its iconic Minifigures in 1978, and since then, they have produced over 8 billion of these small figures, making them one of the most populous "people" in the world!
Currently there are approximately 2.4 billion Christians in the world. This makes Christianity the largest religion by population.
Estimating the total number of Christians who have ever lived is extremely challenging.
This is due to a number of factors, including:
Historical records: Many early Christian communities did not keep detailed records of their membership.
Geographical spread: Christianity has spread to all corners of the globe, making it difficult to track its growth and decline in different regions.
Conversion and apostasy: People have converted to and from Christianity throughout its history, making it difficult to determine the exact number of adherents at any given time.
Despite these challenges, some scholars have attempted to estimate the total number of Christians who have ever lived. One estimate suggests that there have been approximately 10 billion Christians throughout history. However, this is a rough estimate, and the actual number could be higher.
So while lego have produced over 8 billion lego people, faith and trust in Jesus as Lord and Saviour has created more Christians.
5. Lego in Space
Lego has made it to space! In 2011, NASA sent Lego kits to the International Space Station to see how they would behave in microgravity. These experiments were part of an educational programme.
Buzz Aldrin was the second person to walk on the Moon. He is a church elder and has written extensively about his faith in Jesus. Then there is John Glenn, Jim Lovell, Mark Kelly and Mae Jemison who among many others, have demonstrated that faith and science can coexist, and that it's possible to be both a devout Christian and a successful astronaut.
6. Lego Theme Parks
The first Legoland theme park opened in 1968 in Billund, Denmark, near the company's headquarters. Since then, Legoland theme parks have opened in multiple countries, attracting millions of visitors each year.
Based on available data and estimates, billions of people attend Christian churches each year - both regular attendees and those who attend on special occasions.
These facts highlight the rich history, global impact, and cultural significance of Lego, making it far more than just a simple toy.
But beyond the fun and creativity, Lego can teach us profound spiritual lessons about our relationship with God. So, let's dive into what Lego can teach us about God and our walk of faith.
Point 1: The Foundation Matters
Matthew 7:24-25 (NLT) - "Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock."
When building with Lego, the foundation is crucial. If the base is not stable, the entire structure can easily fall apart. Similarly, our lives need a strong foundation.
In this passage, Jesus teaches about the importance of building our lives on the solid foundation of His words. Just as a house built on rock stands firm against storms, a life built on Christ's teachings remains steadfast in trials.
The Greek word for "foundation" in this context is "themelios," meaning something put down, i.e., a substructure. Building our lives on Jesus involves hearing and doing His words. It's not enough to just listen; we must apply His teachings daily.
Rick Warren says, "A life built on God’s Word is stable, even in the midst of the storms of life."
Think of a child building a tall Lego tower. Without a strong base, the tower wobbles and falls. Our lives, too, need a firm foundation in Christ to withstand life's challenges. Build your life on the rock of Jesus’ teachings, and you will stand firm.
Point 2: Every Piece Has a Purpose
1 Corinthians 12:18 (NLT) - "But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it."
In a Lego set, every piece, no matter how small, has a specific purpose and place in the overall design. Each piece is vital to completing the model.
Paul describes the church as the body of Christ, where each member has a unique role. Just as every Lego piece contributes to the final build, each believer has a specific function within the body of Christ.
The Greek word for "parts" is "melos," which means a limb or part of the body. Paul emphasizes that every believer, regardless of their role, is essential to the health and function of the church. We must value each other's contributions and work together harmoniously.
John Maxwell states, "Teamwork makes the dream work, but a vision becomes a nightmare when the leader has a big dream and a bad team."
Consider a complex Lego set with hundreds of pieces. Each piece, even the smallest one, is essential to complete the picture. Similarly, each of us has a unique role in God's plan. Recognize your value and the value of others in the body of Christ. Together, we complete God’s beautiful design for His church.
Point 3: Creativity Reflects the Creator
Genesis 1:27 (NLT) - "So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
Lego allows for limitless creativity. You can build anything you imagine, reflecting the creative nature that God has instilled in us.
Being made in God's image means we share in His attributes, including creativity. Our ability to create and innovate is a reflection of God's own creativity and ingenuity.
The Hebrew word for "create" in Genesis is "bara," which denotes creating something new. This divine attribute is mirrored in us. When we use our creativity, we reflect God's image. We should embrace our creative abilities and use them to glorify God and serve others.
Francis Schaeffer writes, "The Christian is the one whose imagination should fly beyond the stars."
Think about the endless possibilities with Lego. You can build castles, spaceships, or entire cities. This creativity mirrors our Creator. Use your God-given talents and creativity to bring glory to God and to bless those around you.
Conclusion:
Through the simple lessons from Lego, we learn profound truths about our faith: the importance of a strong foundation in Christ, the value of each individual in the body of Christ, and our reflection of God’s creativity. Let us build our lives on the solid rock of Jesus, recognize and honour each other's unique roles, and unleash our God-given creativity to serve and glorify Him.
Call to Action:
As we go forward this week, let’s commit to building a strong foundation in Christ, appreciating the unique role of each person in our community, and embracing our creativity to reflect the image of our Creator. Let’s build lives that glorify God and make a positive impact on those around us.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the lessons we can learn from everyday things like Lego. Help us to build our lives on the solid foundation of Your Word, to value each person's unique contribution, and to use our creativity for Your glory. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Go forth, church, and build lives that honour God, reflecting His power, unity, and creativity in all you do.
