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[This entry is Part Two of a three-part series entitled "Put to the Test"]
Figuring that the resource had not been tapped for all it was worth, I continued crock-potting on Jesus’ analogy regarding the wise man who builds his house on the rock and the foolish man who builds his house on the sand (Matthew 7:24-27). Like we talked about in the last blog entry, one of these men that Jesus describes built according to the plans of the Master Builder – according to the words of Jesus. The other did not put Jesus’ “life-construction guidelines” to work and so, we can suppose, relied upon something else for his design and construction plans. Whether he relied upon his own knowledge and reason or some kind of human philosophy we don’t know. What we do know is that he did not put Jesus’ words into action despite having heard them.
As I continued to ponder the men described by Jesus and the outcome of their lives, an important truth was revealed. According to this parable, the long-term sustainability of this construction was not really proven until the houses were exposed to the elements of this world over the course of time.
It is possible that the house built on the sand looked really promising for a time. As a matter of fact, it may have been the most beautiful home in town when construction was finished. But eventually the storms of life came along and tested that construction. Jesus’ description of the storm sounds quite similar to the hurricanes and tropical storms hitting the Caribbean and portions of the United States as I write this. Rain falling in sheets. Flood waters rising. Winds blowing and beating on every structure in sight.
This brings back memories of the widespread damage in the Midwest this past Summer as rivers paid no heed to their banks and brought powerful currents to bear against homes as well as entire towns. Thinking back to the news coverage of these floods, I was reminded of amazing video footage of two houses along the Wisconsin River. The power of the flooded river’s current had been pounding the earth supporting two particular homes for days. Eventually so much ground was washed away that both homes literally snapped in two and crashed into the river one after the other. We’re talking entire homes…snapping in two and being carried away by the river. Amazing.
Interestingly, even moments before their fall, these were two beautiful homes. But their long-term sustainability was intimately tied to the ground underneath. The future of these homes was inextricably linked to their foundations. Much like those who hear Jesus’ words but choose to go their own way, certainly these people had been warned of the inherent risks of construction in this area. It was obvious to anyone standing there. Despite the assurances they may have received from others around them, building here was a roll of the dice. It might be 100 years before a big enough flood came, but eventually it would come. They knew the risks and chose to take their chances. They decided that the potential pleasures outweighed the risks.
The same is true of those who build on a foundation other than Christ. This is described for us in Romans chapter 1. Here Paul tells us that what can be known about God is plain to everyone, because God’s nature is revealed to all people by the world around us – the world He created. But some, despite knowing that God exists and knowing what He desires, choose not to honor him as God or give thanks to him, but instead they choose to go their own way (Romans 1:19-21). They roll the dice.
Having a foundation built solidly on Christ – the Rock – has daily implications for a home’s sustainability as well as eternal ramifications. The worldview (and Godview) presented by Jesus gives us a healthy guideline for living whether we’re celebrating a sunny day at the beach, enduring a cloudy, humid Midwestern day or holding on in the midst of a Category 4 hurricane. This worldview and Godview help us to answer questions like: What really matters? What should be truly important to me? Where should I place my priorities and my energies? How should I view God, myself and others in light of the storms of life? How do I handle difficulties in my finances, family, and marriage? How do I make sense of the death of a loved one? Jesus has answers for all of these questions. Answers that give sustainability and solidarity to our daily lives.
But Jesus isn’t just concerned about today. He’s concerned about eternity. According to Jesus and other New Testament writers, many will hear the words of Christ and yet choose to construct their own worldview and trust in themselves rather than God. Unfortunately, this will only end in disappointment and separation from God and all that is good It is not a roll of the dice that anyone should take, yet, like the people who built on the banks of the Wisconsin River, many will pick up those dice and take their chances. And many houses will crumble.
If you’re still reading, there’s a chance you’re saying, “Gee, Troy. Thanks for the uplifting message today.” I’m with you, but while this all may sound like gloom and doom, there is a bright spot to the story: People can move! Just because you built a house on the banks of the Wisconsin River doesn’t mean you can’t put that house on the market and move to solid ground. It’s not too late to realize you’ve made a mistake and relocate.
When those two houses plunged into the river, they were unoccupied. The people who had at one time decided it was a good place to invest had abandoned that thinking and taken everything they could salvage. As soon as they realized the foundation was crumbling, they moved to higher ground. They were going to start rebuilding on a solid foundation.
If this is you… if you have been building a foundation and a home on your own building plans – your own wisdom, intelligence or perception of reality – it's not too late to abandon ship! Now is the time to move. The offices of the Master Builder are open 24/7 and your bad credit and flood insurance history are no problem. He is always interested in developing a new neighborhood to be part of his Master Planned Community (he calls it “The Kingdom” – sounds spectacular doesn’t it!?). A heart that is ready to follow him is just the location He is looking for. You'll never tire of the views (you can see for an eternity!) and likely begin to wish that you could stay forever. The Good News is that you can. His Son already has your mortgage taken care of. It’s a family business and you are now part of the family. Welcome to the neighborhood.
Figuring that the resource had not been tapped for all it was worth, I continued crock-potting on Jesus’ analogy regarding the wise man who builds his house on the rock and the foolish man who builds his house on the sand (Matthew 7:24-27). Like we talked about in the last blog entry, one of these men that Jesus describes built according to the plans of the Master Builder – according to the words of Jesus. The other did not put Jesus’ “life-construction guidelines” to work and so, we can suppose, relied upon something else for his design and construction plans. Whether he relied upon his own knowledge and reason or some kind of human philosophy we don’t know. What we do know is that he did not put Jesus’ words into action despite having heard them.
As I continued to ponder the men described by Jesus and the outcome of their lives, an important truth was revealed. According to this parable, the long-term sustainability of this construction was not really proven until the houses were exposed to the elements of this world over the course of time.
It is possible that the house built on the sand looked really promising for a time. As a matter of fact, it may have been the most beautiful home in town when construction was finished. But eventually the storms of life came along and tested that construction. Jesus’ description of the storm sounds quite similar to the hurricanes and tropical storms hitting the Caribbean and portions of the United States as I write this. Rain falling in sheets. Flood waters rising. Winds blowing and beating on every structure in sight.
This brings back memories of the widespread damage in the Midwest this past Summer as rivers paid no heed to their banks and brought powerful currents to bear against homes as well as entire towns. Thinking back to the news coverage of these floods, I was reminded of amazing video footage of two houses along the Wisconsin River. The power of the flooded river’s current had been pounding the earth supporting two particular homes for days. Eventually so much ground was washed away that both homes literally snapped in two and crashed into the river one after the other. We’re talking entire homes…snapping in two and being carried away by the river. Amazing.
Interestingly, even moments before their fall, these were two beautiful homes. But their long-term sustainability was intimately tied to the ground underneath. The future of these homes was inextricably linked to their foundations. Much like those who hear Jesus’ words but choose to go their own way, certainly these people had been warned of the inherent risks of construction in this area. It was obvious to anyone standing there. Despite the assurances they may have received from others around them, building here was a roll of the dice. It might be 100 years before a big enough flood came, but eventually it would come. They knew the risks and chose to take their chances. They decided that the potential pleasures outweighed the risks.
The same is true of those who build on a foundation other than Christ. This is described for us in Romans chapter 1. Here Paul tells us that what can be known about God is plain to everyone, because God’s nature is revealed to all people by the world around us – the world He created. But some, despite knowing that God exists and knowing what He desires, choose not to honor him as God or give thanks to him, but instead they choose to go their own way (Romans 1:19-21). They roll the dice.
Having a foundation built solidly on Christ – the Rock – has daily implications for a home’s sustainability as well as eternal ramifications. The worldview (and Godview) presented by Jesus gives us a healthy guideline for living whether we’re celebrating a sunny day at the beach, enduring a cloudy, humid Midwestern day or holding on in the midst of a Category 4 hurricane. This worldview and Godview help us to answer questions like: What really matters? What should be truly important to me? Where should I place my priorities and my energies? How should I view God, myself and others in light of the storms of life? How do I handle difficulties in my finances, family, and marriage? How do I make sense of the death of a loved one? Jesus has answers for all of these questions. Answers that give sustainability and solidarity to our daily lives.
But Jesus isn’t just concerned about today. He’s concerned about eternity. According to Jesus and other New Testament writers, many will hear the words of Christ and yet choose to construct their own worldview and trust in themselves rather than God. Unfortunately, this will only end in disappointment and separation from God and all that is good It is not a roll of the dice that anyone should take, yet, like the people who built on the banks of the Wisconsin River, many will pick up those dice and take their chances. And many houses will crumble.
If you’re still reading, there’s a chance you’re saying, “Gee, Troy. Thanks for the uplifting message today.” I’m with you, but while this all may sound like gloom and doom, there is a bright spot to the story: People can move! Just because you built a house on the banks of the Wisconsin River doesn’t mean you can’t put that house on the market and move to solid ground. It’s not too late to realize you’ve made a mistake and relocate.
When those two houses plunged into the river, they were unoccupied. The people who had at one time decided it was a good place to invest had abandoned that thinking and taken everything they could salvage. As soon as they realized the foundation was crumbling, they moved to higher ground. They were going to start rebuilding on a solid foundation.
If this is you… if you have been building a foundation and a home on your own building plans – your own wisdom, intelligence or perception of reality – it's not too late to abandon ship! Now is the time to move. The offices of the Master Builder are open 24/7 and your bad credit and flood insurance history are no problem. He is always interested in developing a new neighborhood to be part of his Master Planned Community (he calls it “The Kingdom” – sounds spectacular doesn’t it!?). A heart that is ready to follow him is just the location He is looking for. You'll never tire of the views (you can see for an eternity!) and likely begin to wish that you could stay forever. The Good News is that you can. His Son already has your mortgage taken care of. It’s a family business and you are now part of the family. Welcome to the neighborhood.
Hey Troy, Finally got to eating from the Crock Pot. Thanks for sharing neighbor!
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