Consider for a minute a back-of-the-envelope analysis that a real estate developer (master builder) undergoes prior to buying, developing, and constructing:
- Aerial analysis – is this a growing, stable or declining location?
- Intersection analysis – is this main and main?
- Site analysis – how is the topography? Is this a flood plain, what direction does the wind predominantly blow out of? How big does the site need to be? Contaminants?
- Market survey – who are the competitors? What is the supply? Demand? Rental rates high enough to justify construction? Vacancy absorption?
- Leasing velocity – how long will it take to lease up the property? What type of tenants fit the market? Composition and mix?
- Architecture – what does this building need to appeal and attract in this particular market?
- Debt financing – who will be my construction lender? RECOURSE? Do I believe in this project?
- Returns – will the investors be satisfied with their returns?
These are only a few of the many decisions contemplated in this type of project. Will this project above be successful? It depends on how accurate and informed the decisions and analysis were and how they were implemented.
Every day we make decisions. Decisions to do this or to do that.
Perhaps sometimes we linger long before making some decisions, and then longer after making others. But each decision contributes to the overall trajectory of our lives–to say it another way, decisions are the building blocks for our lives…
The question is, who is guiding us as we build? Is it man’s affirmation? Success driven? Our pride and ego? Or is it God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, prayer, and accountability?
“According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation…” 1 Corinthians 3:10
Whether we recognize it or not, like a master builder, we are laying and building upon a foundation. Are you a builder or a destroyer–with your words…with your glances? Do you have the right tools? Are you leaning your ladder on the wrong building and climbing up to the top?
“Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.” 1 Corinthians 3:12,13
May this week be a week we consider and contemplate deeply our decisions.
— September 26, 2015