Matthew 7:24-29.
Jesus that putting his words into practice is like a wise man building his house on a foundation of rock. Someone who doesn’t is like a foolish man building on sand. The crowds are impressed with Jesus’ teaching because he sounds so authoritative.
My wife wants to build a country house.
Because I once owned and lost a house when I was younger, I’m not as keen on the idea as she is.
For a few months my wife searched for property on which to build the house.
It proved to be a frustrating exercise for her and at last she gave up, realizing the time was not right and God would let us know when to do it.
A house is a lot of work, more than an apartment because the building never seems to be finished.
There is almost always something that wasn’t done right or got forgotten.
Having a garden on the property involves endless care.
To build a house I need to have exactly the attitude Jesus describes.
I can’t put his words into practice just once. I have to do it continually.
Then the house of my life will sit on firm foundations.
My life collapsed and fell with a great crash fifteen years ago because I wasn’t putting into practice Jesus’ words.
I was judgemental, sexually immoral, smoked, drank too much, worried about tomorrow, worshipped money, had no treasure stored in heaven, did not care for the needy, prayed only for myself, hated my enemies instead of loving them, did not turn the other cheek, had fantasies of revenge, and wanted to divorce my nagging that increasingly talked in nonsense as her alcoholism destroyed her body and mind.
I sought my personal happiness in adultery not God.
I avoided the responsibilities of wife, troubled daughter, and work.
My wife died, I lost my job, my daughter ran away and got pregnant, and the sad life I was clinging to just washed away.
Years of suffering later, I learned that I had to build the house of my life on what Jesus said and taught. There is no other foundation. The world is sand.
Today in my class, I talked about love with my students.
I have learned to love them and because of that they are growing into the students they never thought they could be.
Love, God’s love, is the foundation I’m learning to trust in and build on.
I didn’t want to teach this summer course but now it’s turning out to be the most important one I’ve ever taught.
Lord, remind me of your word every day. Help me know and feel that you are the rock I stand on.
