“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”  Matthew 7:24-27

None of us will set out to build a house on sand.  We understand all too well the inevitable result: the moment the first storm arrives; the foundation begins to crumble. It won’t take long for repeated storms to bring the entire structure crashing down. Even the highest levels of craftsmanship and architectural ingenuity can’t shield against this fate. Think back to the last image you encountered of homes ravaged by an F5 tornado. In those scenes, the distinction between a luxurious mansion and a humble shack vanishes. In the end, rubble is just rubble.    

This parable applies to my spiritual life.  Only I can determine whether my house will be firm against the current of our godless times and the relentless efforts of the enemy to destroy my faith and the stability I was meant to enjoy.

Without a strong foundation, I will have no divine perspective on anything that happens to me.  I’ll take everything personally and seek fairness, justice, and love from my self-created pedestal.  My life will unravel with me at the helm.

My home will be comprised of baby Christians who are battered by life.  Self-pity, resentment, and selfish ambition will be the ugly beasts at every breakfast table.  We will become a huddled group of sandcastles – trying to hold each other up when the wind blows. 

Churches built on shifting sand fill their pews with baby Christians. Community life is based on tradition and ritual rather than Spirit-driven energy.  People languish for lack of knowledge.  Individuals struggle due to a lack of understanding about the abundant life Christ offers them.

If you and I were to stand on a beach during a storm, we would be pelted with the sand that the winds kick up.  There would be nowhere to hide.  In and among the rocks however, we’d find refuge and protection. 

Give us the spiritual grit to fortify our foundations.  Amen