Read
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.” (NIV)
Reflect
As a house builder for a number of years I understood the value of a well-built foundation. I do remember a house in the Cobourg area that was putting on an addition. The excavator dug too close to the existing footings and the soil below began to give way. Within a day the entire end of the house had collapsed and fell into the newly excavated basement, exposing the roof and both first and second floor. Without a good foundation a house will not stand!
Jesus gives some building advice in the parable we have read today. But he is talking about more than building houses. He is talking about building our lives and making sure their foundation is firm, made up of wisdom and faith in him.
This foundation requires two things. It first involves listening to Jesus’ words. Listening is really important and can be hard to do sometimes. Listening often means putting aside our own ideas or agendas and paying attention for a while.
But listening is only the first step in the foundation of our faith lives. The next step is doing what he asks of us. If we only listen and don’t do what is asked, we haven’t really accomplished anything. Our faith can be filled with knowledge and belief, but if it isn’t tied to action, it rings hollow. Doing is really important!
Is the house of your life built on the foundation of faith that involves both listening to what Jesus is saying and doing what he asks? That is the way of life Jesus is calling us to.
Pray
Lord, make me a good listener to your word and an excellent doer of your word, Amen
