Some years ago, Dave went looking for his first house. After several months, he finally found one that had all the appearances of being "the one." It was cute with a tiny yard, a white picket fence, and was within walking distance to the beach. His family gave him the thumbs up. He couldn't go wrong, they thought.
But when Dave had the house inspected, he learned it had a huge crack in the foundation. It was painful for Dave to let it go. He had already decorated it in his mind. But with a poor foundation, the house wasn't worth much, especially in California! The slightest earthquake would crack it in two.
Foundations aren't seen, but they're essential to a sturdy home. Many believers try to live life without a firm foundation. They look great until one of life's inevitable storms or quakes hits them. All too often, their faith crumbles into panic or bitterness towards God. Nothing makes Christ sadder.
Solitude, slowing down, and deep prayer are all essential components of a how to build a firm foundation. Doing less, or even nothing, for a period of time can be extremely fruitful for our souls. But at some point, we have to do something. We also need to be like Christ in active obedience to the Father.
Jesus says, "He who hears my words and puts them into practice is like the man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When the flood came, the torrent struck the house but could not shake it, because it was well built" (Luke 6:47–48).
Deep obedience results from a heart healed by God's love. Until we trust God to love and heal us, either we will obey him as a dictator (who seems to make demands on us for his own ends), or we will disobey him. We'll view his instructions as irrational or impossible, as threats to our deepest needs. "You want me to love my enemies? You're insane!"
It may seem like a flawed foundation according to worldly standards, but it is the foundation that Jesus relied upon, even while dying on the cross. For Jesus, deep obedience came naturally because he knew his Father's love. Through prayer, Scripture meditation, small group support, and service we, too, can begin to know our loving Father who is committed to our good—and in turn rely on him before the storms hit.
