Gold Standard

These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  — 1 Peter 1:7

Today, refined gold is valued at $3335 per ounce. God values genuine faith even more. Gold is also more perishable than faith. Then, Paul tells us there's something even greater than faith:

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor. 13:13) In fact, the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Gal. 5:6b)

Maybe faith is a better standard. Or love.

And/Or

In life, we face checkboxes — select all that apply, and radio buttons — choose only one. The Christian life is like this, too. Some things can be true at the same time: we have been given dominion over God's creation, and we are part of God's creation. We simultaneously exercise loving authority and submit to Loving Authority. Other things are exclusive: moment-by-moment, we are either of the world's system or of God's kingdom. We toggle between two citizenships: Old or New.

Deconstruction

To me, deconstruction suggests a careful dismantling — setting aside and preserving everything that can be reused. It looks toward restoration, rebuilding on a better foundation with integrity and strength.

Destruction, on the other hand, leaves only a heap of rubble.

Our God is a restorer. He gathers remnants and rebuilds. The Enemy, though, comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.