Got to Build that House on the Rock!

[Jesus said,] “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”      Luke 6:46-49 (NIV, emphasis mine)

Earlier this week (Wednesday’s “I Can’t Take It With Me…”) I shared that I had begun to journal again. No surprise that I am “better” today than I have been in several weeks.

I had to shake my head and smile as I bowed my head, remembering the times I cried out to God (“Lord, Lord, help me!”) and heard His response … and then did not respond to His command. Oh, my Lord! I wonder if anyone hearing Jesus on that day felt the Arrow of the Lord hit them as it did me!

Then Jesus says that to have the whole package; to build a sturdy foundation of faith in my life I must come and spend time with Him. I cannot keep Jesus at arm’s length or pick Him up 1-2 hours/week and build a relationship that will stand through the storm. I must hear His words. That is a conscious choice to listen just for His voice and tell any other voice to “Take Off!” And then once I hear God’s voice directing me on the path He has laid for me, I must then choose to obey. No wishy-washy or maybe or “when I get around to it”. Swift obedience comes from trust which comes with spending time and listening.

Notice that Jesus does not say that if I do these things that storms will never come. No He makes the statement that says, quite frankly, that storms will come. No doubt. So get ready and build a house of faith that has a firm foundation. Sink my faith deep into the Rock. And who is the Rock? Jesus. No shortcuts. Time and study with the Teacher. There is the foundation that will take me through all the storms.

Excuse me, Jesus is speaking. Class is in session.