Solid Foundation

How solid is the foundation on which you’ve built your life?

This question is rarely asked or answered when things are going well. But when the storms of life hit – when everything seems to be collapsing around us – the strength of our foundation could be the difference between surviving the storm or a mighty crash.

Those who’ve built their lives on money and possessions have undoubtedly had their house shaken a bit lately. The stock market is in a free fall with no bottom in sight. Each new round of layoffs adds to an already high unemployment rate. Retirement dreams vanish as 401(k) statements are opened. Many are discovering they owe more on their house than it’s worth.

Did you know that Jesus had a lot to say about the foolishness of building one’s life on money?

While teaching the crowds on the mountainside, Jesus said:

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:19-21; New Living Translation)

So if money makes for a shaky foundation, on what sort of foundation should we build?

In the same mountainside lesson, Jesus taught:

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:31-33; New Living Translation)

If you want to survive the storms life throws at you, make sure your foundation is built on things that are important to God.

This may take some serious remodeling. You may have to make some radical changes in your plans to get it right. But, before you do anything, be sure to consult with the Architect – the one who designed you in the first place. After all, it was He who said:

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27; New Living Translation)