As we walked along the beach, I was intrigued by the variety of sandcastles built by aspiring architects. Some were very elaborate, while others were very modest—much like houses we see as we ride down a country road or visit an aging city. One thing, though, was certain. They would not last until morning, for they had been built on sand.

When I returned home from my vacation, son Joe pointed out a serious problem at my own home. The deck at the back of my house is collapsing. Erosion from rain and pool water has left a hole under the supports. The idea of collapsing onto the rocks at the edge of High Rock Lake is a scary thought. Standing looking down at the growing hole and the sinking supports, I was reminded of Jesus’ warnings:

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?  I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” (Luke 6:46-49 NLT)

It is obvious that if the pilings under my deck are not strengthened with concrete or stone, the deck will in time collapse, perhaps pitching those standing on it down on the rock wall below or into the lake.

The same is true of our spiritual lives. If we fail to build our lives on Jesus Christ, we will in time sink into the abyss. On the other hand, if we who are believers don’t listen to his Word and take seriously his commands, we won’t live the abundant lives he promised. (John 10:10)

Sadly, for several years, my spiritual foundation was too much like that of a sandcastle or my deck supports. I was totally leaning on my own works rather than the Lord’s. Oh, I was busy in the church and trying to do the right things, but my mind and my heart were divided. I was trying to live with one foot in the world and one foot in the church. It was not working. It took the near collapse of my marriage and my family for me to see that my foundation was broken.

Jesus warns us: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord]. (Matthew 6:24 AMP)

It took almost losing everything important in my life to finally realize that the Lord wanted all of me—not just part. Praise God, I realized my problem and gave my life fully to him before it was too late. What an eternal blessing!

CHALLENGE: What about you? Have you given your life unconditionally to your Creator and Savior or are you giving him only bits and pieces? Spend some quiet time with Him and make sure your spiritual foundation is firm. If you are in danger of collapse, cry out to Him for salvation by admitting your sins, believing that He can save you, and committing your life to Him. If the foundation is solid, praise Him and reach out to someone who needs your testimony. You—and they—will be glad you did.

Dear Jesus, may we build our lives firmly on YOU and may we listen and obey your Word, the instruction manual for living the abundant life.

PS I’d love to hear from you. Your comments are always welcome. Thanks for reading and sharing. Many blessings.

Also, if you’d like to hear a wonderful old hymn and view an accompanying video about building our lives on Jesus Christ, check our How Firm a Foundation by Michael Card at /www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngxj_4MTK-Y.

The original hymn was very popular during the 1800’s and early 1900’s in both the North and the South and was sung at the bedside of President Andrew Jackson and at the funerals of Robert E. Lee, Theodore Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson. Wonderful lyrics!

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God’s excellent word!
What more can God say than to you hath been said,
to you that for refuge to Jesus have fled.

‘Fear not, I am with thee; oh 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.

‘When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow,
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

‘When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply:
the flames shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

‘The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake!’