There’s Cracks in Your Foundation

The above is something a homeowner never wants to hear from a foundation contractor because it’s both expensive (and timely) to repair. A foundation is the essential basis on which everything stands. 

It is vital in the stability of a building; in the accuracy of the final solution in any equation; and in the eye of an artist for the beginning of an original creation.

How a female feels about what she sees in the mirror can often depend on base make-up (foundation or concealer) for a perfect complexion (on which other cosmetics are applied); and a foundational garment underneath her clothing (like the shape wear, Spanx) to make her figure appear flawless.

Are you guilty of repeating urgent instructions more than once when you want the listener to really pay attention and remember your directives?

Our loving Heavenly Father has done that same action in the similar scriptural illustrations of Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:46-49. Why is this story so important? Let’s find out with the Luke passage in the Easy-to-Read Version of the Bible. The scripture is below for your reflection:

 Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord,” but you don’t do what I say?  The people who come to me, who listen to my teachings and obey them—I will show you what they are like:  they are like a man building a house. He digs deep and builds his house on rock. The floods come, and the water crashes against the house. But the flood cannot move the house, because it was built well.

But the people who hear my words and do not obey are like a man who builds a house without preparing a foundation. When the floods come, the house falls down easily and is completely destroyed.

In regards to the wise craftsman, the rock he used was…

1.  Solid and secure enough to build a structure on.

2.  Constant (and today couldn’t be moved without the aid of expensive equipment).

3.  A place of shelter. (I Samuel 13:7).

4.  Also a weapon of murder and justice. (Acts 8:57 Stephen, John 8:3-5 adulterous woman)

5.  Could block the entryway of a tomb to seal in the dead. (Matthew 27:59-60, Jesus)

Are you the type of person that others see as constant (and loyal) in your friendships with others; a place of safe shelter in times of crisis; and firm in your beliefs in the Almighty (and your own capabilities)?

Author Sai Baba said, "A house must be built on solid foundations if it is to last. The same principle applies to man; otherwise he too will sink back into the soft ground and becomes swallowed up by the world of [delusion]."

We can only guess why the unwise home builder thought that constructing a home on unstable shifting sand was a brilliant idea. Maybe he was in a hurry. Could it be that it was cheaper to do it this way than by the wise craftsman’s proven method.

Maybe beach front property was a desirable way to impress family and friends. Could it be he’d gotten an inaccurate weather report, or he thought a flood could never happen to him? Being limited in your thinking about life’s important things can often be a remedy for disaster.

Author Stedman Graham (and Oprah Winfrey’s partner) states, "Most people are defined by their titles, their cars, and their house, where they came from, their color, their race, and their religion.

And so it's up to you to take control of your own life and define you. As long as you understand who you are and you have a solid foundation of understanding what your talents are, what your skills are."

I believe the modern-day meaning that accompanies Luke 6:46-49 is found in the old hymn, “How Firm Foundation.” I have provided the chorus and verses (two and four) for you to better inquire (within yourself) as to what foundation your life is built on.

Do you need a spiritual safety renovation as soon as possible to keep the whole structure (of your life) from tumbling down on you?

Chorus

How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word;
What more can he say than to you he hath said?
You, who unto Jesus, for refuge have fled.

Verse Two

 Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed!
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

Verse Four

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design,
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

*Inspired from a sermon outline entitled “Two Foundations” by me from the late 1980’s. Original re-write (accidentally deleted) was entitled, “Foundational Truths.”

**Adapted study notes from The Life Application Bible (New International Version edition) were also used.