“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
We’ve been talking a lot about training and learning to embrace suffering as part of our journey to becoming people of faithfulness. I want to wrap up this topic today by looking at one of Jesus’ parables. I believe that the principle of training and preparing our lives in the Kingdom of God is what Jesus taught us when He spoke of building our house upon the Rock in Matthew 7. A foundation of discipline ensures that a house can withstand the rigors and strain of a storm. This is why I encourage you to build your life on the Gospel, starting today. Train now, before the bad days come and you are forced to hold on and simply survive. While you have the energy and focus, invest your heart in the things of God; become a disciple and develop a Spiritual workout plan that will help you keep your eyes fixed on Him in the rough weather. Practice the disciplines of Scripture memorization, meditation, and solitude, and these will further fuel your passion for Jesus. Even though it’s not always easy and there may be things that seem more pressing, invest your time, talent and treasure in seeking His truth, and you will grow strong from the inside out. After you have trained in the Spiritual arena, work on developing the skills and talents that God has blessed you with. No matter how old you are, invest time in something that interests you; pour your heart into it, sacrifice for it, and don’t quit when the going gets tough. Remember that discipline is fortifying you and preparing you to face the inevitable storms of life. No matter how rough the weather, with Jesus, you are never alone; He is a Rock that is unchanging and He invites you to stand upon His goodness as you follow His leading in your life! |
Prayer
Jesus, I pray for your help as I seek to build my life on the Rock. Please come alongside me and prepare me to do the things you have called me to.
Reflection
What kinds of storms have you endured in your life? Is your house built upon the Rock so you are ready for any future rough weather?
