Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Luke 6:46-49, NIV)
Luke 6:46-49 tells us that a man who builds his house on sand will crumble, yet the man who builds his house on solid ground will not.
It's clear that without accepting Christ, we are lost. However, even those saved can lose their way and become lost. The real test begins when we invite Christ to live within us. This is when Satan will attack with all his might. The enemy knows that if a saved individual loses hope and direction, it only takes a crack in the foundation to make them crumble.
We face many temptations that can lead us away from Jesus. We'll stand on His Word, light, and glory if we believe in Him. There must be a barrier between us and the world to protect us. We are either moving towards God or away from Him. Once we're saved, we must stay in the direction of the Light by building our foundation on the Rock that is Jesus. The things of this world are temporary, but Christ is everlasting and unchanging.
If we choose to wrap our lives in the world when storms of life come, there will be nothing there but splinters and rubble. Living our lives on the Rock will assure us that our spiritual foundation will remain intact and that we will still be standing once the storm passes.
The hubby and I like to hike. We usually go in late winter or spring when the temperatures are mild. Sometimes, we camp out. When we hike, we take a backpack. We carry a blanket, pillow, water, food, and a map. I also take a hard copy or an electronic version of my Bible.
Direction: Maps help us with directions. But even with a map, we can steer off course! That is when we must trust God. He can and will redirect us back toward Him.
Love: Blankets keep us warm. Similarly, we wrap up in God’s love and grace. He keeps us comforted. The world can be cold. We can’t expect the world to comfort or give us only what God can—the warmth of Christ shelters us from the world's harshness.
Rest: Soft and comforting, pillows help us to rest. The world gives us pillows of stone, but God provides us with a pillow of peace. Gentle and inviting, we can rest our weariness on Him. By doing so, we know He cares for us. He knows our difficulties, and He tells us not to worry. All is well. Rest your mind on my softness, He says. I will take care of you. Just as I care for the birds of the air, I will care for you.
Focus: The water and food are things we cannot live without. Neither can we live without Christ. He is the bread of life, after all. He gives us what nothing else can—fullness in Him. With Him, we will never thirst after the things of the world. As we take in physical food and water, we must focus daily on Jesus. That is why the Lord’s Prayer says to ‘give us now our daily bread,’ letting the world continue, as it always does, yet with Christ, we can rise above the world and not let it touch us.
The Word: My Bible is my ultimate GPS. It is always on course, plugged in, and never needs charging! (That is unless I am using my tablet. I know I can turn to my Bible for answers whenever I am uncertain about the world's opinions. While the answers I see may not always be the ones I desire, I can trust that they are exactly what I need. God is incapable of lying, so what my Bible says is the ultimate truth. Even though it may differ from the world's truth, it remains steadfast. As the Lord said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6). Unlike the world's truth, God's truth is unwavering. If we keep our foundation rooted in Him, we remain as solid as He is. After all, a house is only as good as its foundation. In contrast, the Bible assures us that we can navigate life without confusion, deviation, or deceit.
Embarking on a camping trip requires essential gear and a proper campsite. Similarly, starting a spiritual journey with God necessitates building a foundation of a strong relationship, which demands time and patience. The first step in this direction is to accept and nurture this relationship. It requires saying yes to Christ and choosing Him over the world. It implores Him to be your savior, guide, and confidant. It requires humility to admit your sins and ask for forgiveness. This decision affirms that following Christ is preferable to following the world. By choosing Christ, you say no to the world.
If you haven't already, I urge you to follow Christ. Say yes to Him, and you won't regret it.
Dear Lord, show me how to build the right foundation for a strong walk with you. Help me to rely on the correct things in my life as I follow you. I come to you today with a humble heart, asking for your guidance and direction in my life. I know that you have a plan for me, and I trust that your ways are higher than mine. I pray that you will lead me on the path that you have set out for me. Please help me to discern your will for my life and to follow your direction. I know that there are many distractions and temptations in this world, but I pray that you will help me to stay focused on you and your plan for my life. I pray that you will give me the strength and courage to follow your path, even when it is difficult. Amen.
Your Turn: What do you do when you feel like you’re losing your way or purpose? How do you find redirection and encouragement?
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