What would you build if you had a 1000 year view instead of a five year, or five month view? That thought came to me as I traveled in London and stood in the magnificent Westminster Abbey. Roughly 1000 years ago men built the Abbey. I can’t conceive of how—given the limits of their technology and the soaring 500 feet apex of the edifice—but they did it; not with modern cranes but with hand tools, sweat and muscle. And it’s a sight to behold.

I wonder if any of them gave thought to the fact that 1000 years later people like me would be standing in the same spot critiquing their work? They certainly built it like they cared, because 1000 years later all I can say is “Bravo!” to their splendid accomplishment.

This brings me back to you and me. How would we do our work if we had a 1000 year view? What would we build?

In both the Abbey and the nearby St. Paul’s Cathedral are buried Kings, politicians, warriors, poets, musicians, and scientists. I don’t know that any builders were buried IN their work, but its worthy to ask ourselves “if I were going to be buried here amid my work and subject to a millennia of scorn or praise for what I’ve done, would I be happy with what people said 1000 years from now?”

Reflecting on the stunning accomplishment of the Abbey and Cathedral builders, particularly given the limited technological resources they had at their disposal while they built—hammers, muscle, sinew, and sweat—gives me pause to stop and ask myself: Given all the tools and resources I have available today, what is possible? What could be done if I set my mind to it?

Finally, for my friends who have a God-directedness I ask this question: how would it change your work if you saw yourself as the Bishop of a city? Not the pastor of a particular church. Not a deacon or leader in a particular congregation. Not a staff member of a certain denomination working in that city. But instead, what if you were THE Bishop of your city? How would that enlarge your thinking about what you are responsible for and what is possible?

In minute-rice, microwave America we have far too short a perspective. Our plans are too limited. Our ambition is weak. Our God is small. Our impact window is microscopic. We must broaden our view of what can be done, put our hand to work for the 1000 year project, and do the work for judgment that is 1000 years into the future.

What are you building?