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Solid foundations

7th May 2010 by Rusty Hodges

I think it’s fair to say that we all desire a solid foundation to build our lives upon. We can often get anxious if our lives are in turmoil. There are many things in life that bring us turmoil. Things like: Changing schools, moving towns, relationship breakdowns, loosing a job, failing an exam, getting in trouble at school, being bullied. And many more.

Sometimes life isn’t fair. Have you ever read the story of Job? Here was a man who was faithfully serving God. He was a wealthy man. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he own seven thousand sheep, three thousands camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred donkeys, and large number of people who worked for him.

One day his whole world was turned upside down. His children died when the house caved in after a strong wind, his livestock were taken away by bandits, and he was left with nothing. Instead of cursing God or blaming others for what happened to him. Even in his mourning he worshiped God.

Now I don’t know about you but to be honest my first reaction when my life hits turmoil is not necessarily to worship God. I’ll fight against it; sometimes complain about what’s causing the turmoil. And when I realise I can’t do anything about it, it’s then that I turn to God. In hindsight sometimes I wish I would turn to him in surrender sooner.

When I look at the story of Job I see someone who had a firm foundation. His trust was in God. No matter what happened to him, nor how bad it got, and if you read his story you will see things did worsen for him. His journey reminds me of a parable that Jesus once told of the wise and foolish builders.

If we read through Matthew’s Gospel from Chapter five we see Jesus teaching his followers on what it takes to have a solid foundation (proper attitude, love for others, prayer, worry, bearing fruit etc). Jesus finishes his teaching with a parable highlighting the importance of laying a solid foundation.

“Jesus said… 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 the house, and it fell with a great crash.” –Matt 7:24-27

It’s important to lay a solid foundation before the storms of life come against us. The earlier we lay the foundation and the deeper it goes the more preparing we are when the storms come. If we do not stop to lay a foundation built on Christ and what he has done for us and what he calls us to then we will be thrown when turmoil hits. Life is full of turmoil it’s not if they will come but when.

The question is will you be ready for the storms of life on a solid foundation or will you be caught napping and fall with a great crash? The choice is yours…

If you want help working out how to build a solid foundation, here’s four things you can do:

1) Pray and Ask God to help you understand his word and how to put it into practice

2) Talk with your youth leader or corps officer for help

3) Share in your life group how each of you is building a solid foundation

4) Leave a comment below on how you are laying a foundation or simply encourage others.