Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Build Your Foundation on Jesus

"I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is 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 6:47-49

Pastor Susannah preached on this Sunday. I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. Most of us know people who are solid Christians no matter what their circumstances. And then their are those who crumble at the first sign of trouble.

I know a woman who has persevered through two bouts of cancer. She faced her husband's diagnosis of Alzheimer's and the agony of losing him slowly until death claimed his body. She watched a son die from cancer. Now her own health is once again in decline. And through all the years of illness and death she has praised God. She prays constantly, giving thanks for all her many blessings. She reads and studies her Bible daily, though some would excuse a woman who has passed her 80th birthday. She attends church most Sunday's, health permitting. She is a treasure and a joy to be around. She loves and trusts the Lord and it shows.

I know another woman who went through all the motions. She attended church each Sunday and Wednesday. She volunteered during Vacation Bible School. She took covered dishes and ministered to the bereaved. She appeared to be a strong Christian. Until she faced breast cancer. Then she fell apart. She cried constantly, sure that her illness meant certain death. Despair filled her. She had no hope. Her doctors and family were confident she would physically survive her illness. They weren't so sure about emotionally. She'd built her foundation on sand and when the storm hit, it washed away. It took the diligent efforts of her family, friends and church to help her replace her surface faith with a faith built on solid ground. It's the difference between knowing Jesus in your head and knowing Him in your heart.

Don't wait until the storm comes to find out where you stand. Make sure you've build your life and your faith on the solid rock of Jesus. The storm may batter you and turn your world around, but you'll stand strong in the arms of Jesus.