Mind the Gap!
Sir Christopher Wren (1632–1723), one of England’s most highly acclaimed architects in history, was responsible for rebuilding 52 churches in the City of London after the Great Fire in 1666, including his masterpiece, St. Paul’s Cathedral. In 1689 he was commissioned to rebuild the Guildhall in Windsor. The new building was designed by Wren to be supported around its perimeter by stone columns, so that, like its predecessor, it would provide a covered area beneath it for the holding of corn markets.
During its construction he came under criticism from his colleagues who made such a fuss that the authorities demanded that Wren add
two huge supporting pillars in the middle of the open area to keep the upper floor from collapsing. Wren bitterly objected, insisting on the strength of his structure and the wisdom of his new architectural innovation. But he was overruled and the two pillars were added to the design over Wren’s objections.
Fifty years passed and the time came round for the building to be redecorated. When the painters had erected their scaffolding to begin the painting they made a startling discovery that the two added pillars didn’t quite touch the ceiling beams. They were short by a couple of inches!
Sir Christopher had such confidence in his work that he made sure the offending pillars were free standing. The authorities, during his lifetime, when making their inspection from the floor, assumed they reached the roof and would have
Sir Christopher had such confidence in his work that he made sure the offending pillars were free standing. The authorities, during his lifetime, when making their inspection from the floor, assumed they reached the roof and would have felt they were have felt they were secure, even though the pillars didn’t actually support anything! Wren went to his grave with his little secret well kept having had the last laugh.
People build many ‘pillars’ to support their little world and to endeavour to keep things from collapsing in their lives. The pillars may often seem strong and able to stand the stress of time. But so often they eventually prove to be just as useless as architect Wren’s false columns.
Some may erect ‘pillars’ of wealth, pleasure, philosophy, or even religion. We know how easily some of those may collapse, but religion? People – even we – can so easily depend on the sometimes beautiful structure of religion – for us, Christianity, of course. But religion is meaningless without the person of Jesus. Pillars of religion are free standing follies without Christ. To quote Jeff Lucas: ‘How quickly religion can turn into a dull habit, as we live in a way that ‘ticks the boxes’ outwardly but experience no ongoing inner change’.
May I ask, what state is your spiritual life in? I doubt if the slogan ‘Mind the Gap’ was in use in the 17th century – today it’s very much 
associated with the space between the platform and the train. But could it be there is a gap between the top of your spiritual ‘pillar’ and God? Only Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord over every part of your life can ensure a safe and reliable support in this life and for eternity.
As the Scriptures express it, “See, I am sending Christ to be the carefully chosen, precious Cornerstone of my church, and I will never disappoint those who trust in him.”(1 Peter 2:6 LB)
Steve Piggott
Elder
August 2015
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