It's a Good Time to Check Your Foundation

In His best-known message, The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus concluded by stressing the need to build one’s life on the right foundation (Mt.7:24-27).  Those who hear His words and do them build on rock, and need not fear the tests that are sure to come.  Those who hear His words and ignore them build on sand, and will not endure the storms when they arrive.

These words are always worth considering, but especially during the trying times that have come upon us.  The kingdoms of this world – with all their apparent splendor and strength – are being shaken.  And as we live in the midst of this trial, it is a good time to check the foundation of your own life.

What would happen if all that gives you security suddenly was taken away?  How would you handle it if everything that grants you comfort and a sense of identity in this world disappeared?  Sounds like a scary thought.  But it doesn’t need to be.

Back in the fourth century there was a desert monk named St. Anthony.  To strengthen His faith and draw closer to God he voluntarily gave away his earthly goods and entered a long period of solitude.  What he experienced at first was terrifying.  He discovered that what had been giving him security was nothing but a superficial shell which easily cracked.  But out of this St. Anthony emerged a new man as He submitted himself to the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.  His old compulsive self was gone, and he became healthy and whole in body, mind, and soul.

Well, you don’t have to become a desert monk to be transformed by Christ.  But you do need to be willing to break free from your superficial sources of security, and submit yourself to Christ’s Lordship. You must be willing to not only hear what He says to you, but do it.  This is the only way to build your life on a solid foundation.

Of course, building on such a foundation doesn’t happen overnight.  It’s a process, and  here are some practices to implement that will move that process along.

Regularly make time for solitude, silence, and prayer.  This world will constantly seek to squeeze you into its mold.  An important step to resist this and become the person God intends you to be is to get alone, get quiet, and pray.

Get better acquainted with the Bible.  The experts and talking heads are at a loss when it comes to solutions for the problems we face.  But answers are available in God’s Word.  We need to uncover the ancient paths of scripture before we can walk securely into the future.

Apply what you are learning at home first.  When you get quiet before God and look to His Word, He’ll show you profound principles.  But these principles must first be applied at home if they are to do any lasting good.

Get involved with a community of believers.  The Lord never intended you to go it alone.  He made us to function within His body, the church, wherein Christ is the cornerstone and we are built up as a spiritual house.

While our world remains enamored by appearances, be wise and consider the foundation you are building your life on.

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