Like a Rock
Ready:
"Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn't collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn't act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!"
-Matthew 7:24-27
Set
Many of my friends find their identity in sports. Others, like myself, find their identity in how well they do in school. I know others who base who they are in what they do, how they look, or who likes them and who doesn't. The point is, we all build our lives on something. We all have something that matters to us more than anything else and defines who we are. And while God intends for friends, hobbies, possessions and abilities to provide us with enjoyment, we should not let them become the foundation of our identity and happiness.
Jesus used an analogy to describe this. He told a story about two men, one who built his house on sand and one who built his house on a rock. When storms came, the rock propped up the wise man's house. The sand foundation, however, allowed the foolish man's house to be washed away and destroyed.
The rock in this story represents Jesus, who is always there. He is always solid and consistent -- a reliable foundation for us. The sand represents other worldly things. Some "sand," such as drugs and alcohol, can destroy your life. Other sand, such as athletic achievement, social acceptance and possessions can be great things that God created for our enjoyment, but we can take them too far and place too much importance on them. And all of them, unlike God, will fail us. For instance, you can have a bad day on Xbox Live (as I did a few days ago) and drop from a 24 to an 18 in Halo 2. You can get injured in a football game. A friend can let you down. God is the only permanent source of life, and life to the full.
When the storms of life come -- a disappointing season, an injury, a family argument, a failing grade, or rejection -- those who have their identity rooted in God will have a constant, reliable, perfect foundation. So ask yourself this: what are you standing on?
Go
1. What is the foundation of your life?
2. What do you put most of your time and thought into?
3. How can you make God more of the foundation of your life today?
Workout
Galatians 2:20
Colossians 2:6-7
1 John 3:1
1 John 3:1
Bible Reference:
1 John 3
