It happens to the best of us. As time goes on, things start to break down – cars, houses, and even our bodies. Maintenance is key to keep things running, as erosion naturally occurs. This slow deterioration not only happens physically but also spiritually. We need to continually build on our faith foundation or we will slowly drift away – especially in challenging times like these.
Building is what the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders is all about. Jesus did not mince words. He made it clear that there was and still is only one foundation that will sustain us through the storms of life. And He teaches us this lesson through a story using the image of a rock – a ginormous, cliff-type rock. In fact, the Greek word Jesus uses in this parable is “petra" which is a connected or layered rock that is created over thousands of years. Jesus knew that a solid foundation on that type of rock requires a process over time. But unlike rock, our faith doesn’t grow naturally. We have to be intentional to not only build it but also preserve it, especially with a culture that is constantly drawing us away. Even the strongest foundations can erode into sand.
So how do we build this type of rock-solid foundation? When we unpack this parable further, it is clear that Jesus is The Rock, and the way to strengthen our foundation in Him is through His teachings. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24 NIV) It is in the hearing and doing that our faith will strengthen to withstand the inevitable storms. It will take time, intentional effort, and making space to be in His Word daily to move from a sandy foundation to one that will survive any storm – even a pandemic.
How are you actively preserving and building your foundation in Christ? Has this unexpected crisis revealed any cracks? What are you doing about it?
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”(Matt. 7:24-27 NIV)