Parables of Jesus - Foundations

I don't know anything about building stuff. I can barely hang a picture on the wall without a mishap or having it look terrible when I'm done. But I do know that foundations are important. I couldn't tell you how to build one, but I know from house-shopping that that is a deal breaker if it isn't good. Jesus knew that firm foundations were important as well.

As He wraps up His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus sums everything up with a visual of foundations.

“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

After this sermon filled with words on loving each other and how to find relationship with God and each other, Jesus sums it up with this. Seems appropriate since the words of His sermon are great for foundation building one's faith. Have you really stopped to think about what your foundation is? When the bottom falls out of life or when the storms come, are you still standing on the Rock?

It takes great faith indeed to know that everything will be okay in the midst of hardships. But after you experience so many storms and adjust your foundation accordingly, the storms won't get easier, but the ground you're standing on will be firmer. I think storms help us realize whether or not our foundation is there. This advice Jesus leaves the crowd with is played out perfectly in Peter's life as we see him try to toddle on the waters as Jesus encourages him to do in Matthew 14. Though Peter sinks because of the fear from the storm that overcomes him, Jesus catches him and asks him why he didn't hold onto faith longer.

We can knock on Peter and his short faith all we want, but he got out of the boat, in a storm, and trusted Jesus. The rest of them sat in the boat. I can't tell you why for sure, but I'm guessing fear, the storm, unsureness, was part of it. I think the last thing people want to do in a storm is sink in water. But we see the depth of Peter's faith, though not long.

What kind of storms have you feeling like you're sinking today? I hope you have the faith or begin forming your faith into one that isn't afraid to step out of the boat and allow Jesus to catch you when things get shaky. Peter shouldn't have been ashamed, nor should you be ashamed to have Jesus catch you when you fall. He wants to. He's waiting to. He wants you to put your faith out there to test and continue refining it. We can't do it any other way. Storms, hardships, unknowns - those things beat on us, our houses, and they may collapse it, but pick it back up and learn from your mistakes and the paths you've walked down, ready to adjust accordingly. This is what makes a solid foundation.

Scripture to Read:
Matthew 7:24-27, Matthew 14:24-32

Questions to Ponder:
When have you completely felt your life fall apart? How was your foundation in that time?
What kinds of teachings from Jesus can you put into play to allow your foundation to grow stronger?
How is your faith when it comes to taking risky steps with God's guidance?