YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM IS . . . ?

With all the severe and strange weather phenomena we’ve experienced in recent years, it’s no wonder people try to strengthen their homes. None, however, will be secure in our lifetime. When we stand on Christ, the solid Rock, the worst weather or other trouble cannot cause us to fall. Hallelujah!

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES         by Sally Bair

The strongest foundation

Pal, our black Lab, thought he had a firm foundation under him when he started to jump back into the boat. With front paws secure on the bow and hind feet on the dock, ready to pull himself aboard, he didn't consider the drift of the boat away from the dock. His body seemed to grow in length as front and back legs stretched farther and farther apart. Then…splash!  Down he went in a belly flop, a look of surprise on his face. His pride wounded, he climbed aboard and then sulked in a corner for an hour.

Pal's mishap reminds me of Humpty Dumpty, who sat high up on a seemingly-secure wall, but it didn’t keep him from falling. In both cases, their foundations appeared to be firm enough to prevent accident.

Scientists keep experimenting with ways to prevent buildings from collapsing as a result of tornados, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. Sometimes we, too, depend on a solid looking support that turns out to be faulty.  The money may give out, our health may eventually erode, or our talents may dry up. What sort of foundation can we trust?

"No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is."  (1 Corinthians 3:11)  Humpty Dumpty's wall and Pal's boat and dock, for all the good they did, could have been made of rotten wood or hay or straw.

We need to ask ourselves, on what kind of spiritual foundation do we rely?  If we have chosen Christ as our firm foundation, then we will build onto our faith in Him with the indestructible jewels of His Word. Then we will reap the Holy Spirit's fruit of "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control."  (Galatians 5:22)  We will desire to serve our Lord as He served us.

Unlike Pal, who leaped without a firm foundation, we will daily seek God's will and guidance. Unlike Humpty Dumpty, we will make sure we stay on the strong, secure foundation of Christ so we won't fall off.

Lord, we thank you for the strong foundation of Jesus Christ. Help us to build on that foundation and not on the narrow, crumbling walls and shifting boats of this world that can cause us to fall. In Jesus' name, amen.