Solomon’s Porch

It was just a picture. A picture, however, that sent a wave of emotion. It was a photo of Solomon’s Porch at Maywood unlike I had ever seen. The roof was gone and the demolition of this landmark of my life was underway. I’ve sang thousands of songs under that roof. I’ve spoken, listened, laughed, cried, repented, played, and studied under that roof. Ive been under that roof before the sun came up, while it was high in the sky, and long after it came down. I’ve seen kids be completely care free under it and I’ve seen kids share their greatest struggles under the comforting shelter it provided.

Don’t get me wrong, it wouldn’t qualify structurally or decoratively as any major wonder of the world. It was made with simple things. Wood, nails, concrete, tin, and a fence to keep basketballs from getting away. But the old original Solomon’s Porch was a safe haven for me every single summer for 30 years of my life…as it was for thousands of other kids and adults for many years.

Yet the emotion wasn’t just sadness because I recognize the same thing those who planned the demolition did. It needed replacing. It served its purpose at Maywood. The faith held by the people who sat under it for so many years had grown and been shared. As a result it had been worn out and—God be thanked—outgrown. There is a need for more room for the souls that will continue to flood to the hallowed grounds of Maywood Christian Camp. There was a need for something new. Something better.

The spirit of Solomon’s porch will be the same. Thousands of kids will come there to speak, listen, laugh, cry, repent, play, and study under a new roof. Legacies will be built. Lives will be changed. The old had to be torn down, so that the new could be built, just as a grain must fall to the earth and die so that new life can begin (John 12:24-26).

On the morning that I saw the picture I also was in contact with a family that is sitting with their mother. A sweet, wonderful, Christian lady that is nearing the end of her time on this earth. She has served her Savior faithfully. She has loved and encouraged her fellow Christians. But her body is worn out. There is a need—a groaning even—to be clothed with that which is eternal (2 Corinthians 5:1-3). And while there is a wave of sadness, there is also joy. Joy in knowing that what is mortal will be swallowed up with true life (5:4).

All of us will endure a similar fate in our life. If something doesn’t happen before, our bodies will grow older and weaker. We will be renewed inwardly, but outwardly we will begin the process of going home. There will be a need for something new. Something better.

And thanks be to God, our Lord has gone to prepare just that for those who love Him.

Ben