Scripture
46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” Luke 6:46-49
Observation
It’s not a matter of IF but WHEN the storms are coming. The best time to prepare for the storm is before it comes. Jesus makes it clear that preparation is all about the foundation. It doesn’t matter how beautiful the plans for the house, how intricate the details, how fine the design because it’s all going to fall if the foundation of obedience has been well laid. Notice, it’s not just listening to the teaching of Jesus, it’s following it. Jesus is making a distinction between those hear and those who do. James put’s it this way, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22). I wonder how many Christians have deceived themselves into believing they are ready for whatever 2025 throws at them because they have listened to Jesus, but aren’t actually following Him?
Application
I remember watching the crew laying the foundation for our new construction home back in Seattle. We had already picked out the floor layout, the marble counters, the knobs for the cupboards and the color of the carpet. None of that mattered or would ever come to pass until the proper foundation had been laid. The forms had been set according to specs and the hole had been dug deep to allow for the three story house to one day stand strong. I was surprised at how long the foundation process took in comparison to how quickly the house was built afterward. We must go deeper in our discipleship before we can go higher. Short cuts lead to long delays when it comes to our spiritual formation. We must slow down and focus on what matters most. It’s either going to be fast or built to last but it can’t be both. This 21 Day Fast will help me focus on what will last and let everything else pass! Can you imagine if our builders had just dug half as deep or only laid half the foundation so they could skip ahead to the more visually rewarding portions of the house? This is what happens when I’m giving the Lord partial obedience or delayed obedience in favor the expedient. The faith that is a mile wide and inch deep looks good on the outside but falls apart at the first financial crisis, chronic illness, or broken promise from a loved one.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for this powerful imagery You gave me as I was hiking. I came across this giant boulder on the trail and stopped to look. This boulder was here long before I got here and will be around long after. With all the shifting and changing going on around me it’s easy to look for the quick fix, when what is needed is a slow restoration of dependance upon the rock that can’t be moved. This year instead of speeding up, I’m slowing down to make sure I’m obeying You and following through with all You’ve asked me to do!
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