Matthew 7:24-27
“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)
I spent last week living in my tent at Camp Cornhusker near Humboldt, Nebraska. I was helping to guide 21 scouts (boys and girls) to earn merit badges and experience the outdoors. We erected a dining fly (one of the big portable carports) and tied it down tight with deep anchors and good scout knots. On Tuesday evening, a storm came through with strong winds and heavy rain. As we sheltered under the dining fly (the scouts thought that was great fun), some of the poles started to separate! Uh-oh. The scouts and adults joined forces to push the poles back together and keep our shelter whole until the winds died down.
Faith is kind of like that. No matter how strong the foundation, there are still times when the structure can be unsteady. The storms that blow through our lives – rocky relationships, changing jobs, financial problems, moral temptations – all test our faith. It can be hard to survive those tempests on our own.
That’s why the church is so important. Just like the scouts teamed up to hold our shelter together during a storm, so the support of our church community can be critical to weathering the storms in our lives. Caring friends, good role models, resources for support, and just a listening ear can make all the difference when faced with a crisis of faith.
We need a faith community with a strong foundation - Jesus. He works in all of us through the Holy Spirit. Listen to that inner voice to guide an active faith life and be a disciple of Jesus to all. As it says in Psalm 119, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path.” Keep that message in your head and your heart.
Questions for Reflection:
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How do you rate your faith foundation?
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Is the structure sound, or does it need a few touchups?
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How can you improve your outreach to others?
Prayer
Dear God, you are the foundation of my life. Help me to live as your disciple. Show me the path and nudge me back if I stray. Amen
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