Building on Sand

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. Matthew 7:24-27

We live in a world of sand and water. The old house we live in presently has withstood the test of time, a block from the ocean, with a full basement at sea level. It is not like the fancy new swanky houses that are perched in the dunes, which have magnificent porches and skylight views. She is an old sturdy dame, unmovable and set in her ways. And yet, it is this rock solid faithful consistency that had taken on storms and sieges of water and wind. It is her willingness to be less that she is more, in her humility she is less vulnerable, and in her steadiness she is rock solid surrounded by shifting sands.

Jesus challenges us today to think about how easy it is to go with the shiny new objects, politics of the day, and the people and devices that ring our bells. And he reminds us to recall how easily fashion and style are swept away, and only rock solid faithfulness will get us through. The times are full of storms with rising wind and water. And yet, even in the worst of times, Jesus reminds us that God is faithful and acting on our behalf always. We are invited to recall God's faithfulness and not put our trust in anything or anyone less.

Today I ask God to see me through the storms ahead, to help me to cling to the rock solid ground of God's faithfulness and abundance. May we all turn from the dazzle and cling to the old rugged cross, the rock of ages and the promises that never fail.