Today’s reading is the parable of the builders. It’s a well-known story of the wisdom of the person who builds their house on a firm foundation, so that when the rains come, the house will stand strong and they will have shelter and safety from the storm. It’s easy to understand the point and agree with the wisdom of building life on a firm foundation. Yes! Jesus is our firm foundation! What’s not quite as easy is figuring out precisely how to have Jesus as our foundation, and unfortunately none of us knows how firm our foundation is until something comes along to test it.
If you read these verses closely you see the key piece that sometimes gets missed. Jesus said, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” The challenging part is that for Jesus to be our foundation, it isn’t enough to know what Jesus says. If it’s a firm foundation in Jesus that we want, we will have to do what he says.
The more I live and walk with Jesus, the more I realize how much better Jesus’ way truly is. I didn’t always believe that, and I insisted on learning some lessons the hard way. But when I think about what my life might have been if it weren’t for Jesus, about all I can do is stop and approach him with overwhelming gratitude.
What drives me to serve as a pastor at Hope is that Jesus saves lives. Period. When you know that you have been rescued, all you want is for other people to have that same life-giving encounter. When I interact with someone who is lukewarm in their faith (maybe they come to church now and then or bring their kids for some things), I know they might know Jesus, but they aren’t following him. And it breaks my heart because they are missing out on life and the only foundation worth building on.
As I write this, I’m praying for you, that from God’s abundance he would give you exactly what you need and that he would draw you closer to him day by day. That you would come to Jesus with humility and seek to follow him in all you do; and that you would experience his light and easy yoke and take joy in allowing Jesus to be Lord.
Prayer
Today’s prayer is relatively simple. It is the Lord’s Prayer. I encourage you to take your time with it and explore the different petitions, making them personal to your life and circumstances, listening for God’s encouragement as you go.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever, Amen.