The house didn’t look like much the first time we saw it. Overgrown trees and bushes crowded the drive, obscuring the front walk and much of the house itself. The realtor had told us it’d been vacant for more than a year. By the looks of it, the house had been neglected for at least a decade before that.
Leaving the pitiful landscaping behind, the realtor unlocked the door and we went inside. With a quick glance, we realized the interior needed work as well. And several days later, a home inspection revealed the home needed far more than cosmetic help. A new roof. New stucco and exterior paint. An overhaul of the septic system. Repair of water damage to the hardwood floors. Replacement of multiple broken windows and an inoperable air conditioning unit. And those were just the big items.
Even so, we remained undeterred. We’d seen homes like this before. In the years we’d been married, my contractor husband and I have remodeled three homes just like this one.
“It has a good foundation,” he told me, after reviewing all the facts. And that’s all I needed to hear. Because we both knew that what mattered most was not the house itself as much as the foundation on which it sat. As long as a house was solid at the base, we could take care of everything else. And that’s exactly what we’ve been doing in the seventeen months since we moved in.
In Matthew 7, Jesus tells the story of the wise and foolish builders, a story I’ve loved since I was a little girl in Sunday school:
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
Similar to a house, the life of faith will face storms. It’s not a matter of if, but when. And although day-to-day upkeep matters and a good attempt at interior decorating will transform the inside into a thing of beauty, what makes a life strong and secure has little to do with wallpaper, paint colors, and a good solid cleaning. It is not the cosmetic fixes that hold up a life of faith, but what sits at its foundation.
I have a question for you, and it’s not an easy one. In fact, I want you to spend a few moments considering it, with as much honest self-reflection as you can muster:
If someone performed a home inspection on your life, what would they say about the foundation of it?
As much as I want to believe my foundation would prove sound, I’m not so sure. Any one of the following could be said to be my foundation:
- A happy marriage
- Whole and healthy children
- Ministry and service
- Hard work and determination
- Financial security
- Being a “good person”
Although this list might, at first glance, seem good or even noble, none were meant to be the foundation of a life. Every single one is sand, not a Savior. And if my life is built on these things, if my sense of security and hope is wrapped up in marriage, children, my own hard work, and a daily sense of happiness, all it will take is a storm in one area to take the whole thing down.
Why? None can save me. And not one will last.
As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
Psalm 18:30-32 (NIV)
Friends, there is nothing wrong with a life filled with family and ministry, service and kindness. Heaven knows this world could use a whole lot more simple goodness. But make no mistake: none of those things are strong enough to secure your life. You and I need a foundation bigger and stronger. And the good news is there is no Rock like our God.
I really loved this thank you for sharing. Time for some self reflection!
I’m so glad, Jas. May He strengthen your faith!
I totally agree, take all away—but if your foundation is in Christ, you will stand firm when the storms come. They will come!!!
Health breaks, suffering comes, kids go away from God, you end up living with family that has no foundation. Yet, still you will
stand steadfast with your foundation in Christ.
Amen! “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” —2 Corinthians 12:9
What a great relatable challenge to reflect on what we truly base our life on! Thank you for sharing this this morning! I have shared it with my Titus 2 ministry daughters. Several have husbands previously in or are still in construction so they will get it even more than us fans of HGTV. Blessings!
Ahhh, wonderful! Be strengthened today, friend!
Thank you for this reflection to remind us of truly where I foundation lies.
**our foundation
I need to remind myself on a regular basis, Nelda. Be encouraged!
Oh my goodness, the list of things we consider as part of our life are not strong enough to be our keeping strength in times of storms. I thought being kind and gentle would keep me centered until I ran into mean spirited people and it upset my cart of peace. Then I thought being a good wife would be my keeping strength until my husband was unkind and unfair in many ways to me, so I was bruised in my emotions and felt hurt and wounded. Later I thought being a good mother would be my keeping strength until my three girls grew up and went to college. They are lovely girls but they don’t need my constant attention so now what do I surmise except I need a keeping strength that is solid, strong and secure. One that is always what God gives to me in safety, truth, security, wisdom and correction as needed. I have placed my trust in myself instead of God working through me. The Holy Spirit knows how to help me if I yield my will to Him.
To others who tried to be your own firm foundation and keeping strength, it will not work. We cannot redeem ourselves, we need a Redeemer who does what only Jesus can do, give everything for us so we can live reconciled with our Creator.
Glory to the name of Jesus. Learn early in your Christian Journey that you must be humble and admit you cannot save yourself, you need a Savior in all areas of your life.
God bless your steps.
Brenda
Excellent Excellent EXCELLENT‼️
Well done Michele!
Thank you, Deborah.
I love this, Michele! A call for us to inspect our life foundations. Will do.
Doing the same today, myself. Over and over again, until we’re home with Him.
What am inspiring food for thought
I love it!
Michele,
I try to live my life in such a way that people would say my it is built on rock. Each day i do my best to show/shine God’s light & love to this sinful world. My faith & trust is in God alone. I can say this because when trials come like the pandemic I didn’t worry or despair. For I know God alone is in control. Great words to ponder.
Blessings 🙂
Thank you for this. I have been battered with some hard things for 2 years. And a new very hard one this weekend. Sometimes my faith is shaky, and I feel my walls wanting to tumble. It’s been confusing (especially when I read God promises and the opposite happens). So the “thank you” is your reminder that my foundation is strong. A few waves may damage the concrete, but I hope and pray it holds when all is said and done. Take care.
I’m so sorry for your suffering, Stephanie. Sometimes it feels like it never ends. With you, sister. May our Father comfort your heart and strengthen your faith today.
Amen, Amen!
Thank you for this reminder. I am living proof that when you put your faith in any of these things that you listed, when the storms of life come, your foundation is not standing on God’s truth (even if I thought they were) my world came crumbling down. I pray for all those that are struggling right now. We have a God, a Savior, A Friend that will never leave us.
We are currently building a new house 1700 miles away and so your words really “hit home”..And also our focus has to be on “Heaven is our Home” because many times earth really IS a desert drear!! Praying for good health for you and your family. And thank you for these precious words when we really needed them!!
Thank you for this reminder, Michele. It’s easy when the storms relent for awhile to forget. And thank you for reminding me of my favorite hymn, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less. I love the original title too: The Immutable Basis for a Sinner’s Hope. I hope your house renovations turned out well!
Michelle – THANK YOU for that timely word! God is so good; allowing others to speak the words our hearts need to hear. Thank you for being open and vulnerable with us, and sharing what the Lord placed on your heart. God Bless.
Praise God for the solid foundation he provides! He has been my Rock for more than six decades; I can’t imagine life without the support of his love, strength, guidance, and more.