IS YOUR SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION FIRM?

Tradition, religion, someone else’s faith, education … none of these and more offer a firm spiritual foundation. Only Jesus Christ, the One True God, can give us the strength and stability to face any storms we face.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES        by Sally Bair

Shifting sand

Between Anchorage and Homer, Alaska, the highway narrows and curves along a stretch of the ocean. Its appropriate name is Turnagain Arm. Its miles-long, sandy beaches are actually mud flats that turn to quicksand when covered with water. Every year tourists are drawn to its deceptive beauty and must be rescued after sinking into the unexpected quicksand. Once the tide comes in, rescue may be too late to help those stuck in the mud, because the water-covered mud around a person hardens like concrete. All of this in spite of many warnings and hearing the horrific stories about those who have died.

Sand becomes unstable when disturbed. A wave will destroy a child’s sand castle. A shallow, country well can collapse because of unstable, underground sand. A house built on sand rather than stone, concrete or other stable material will collapse.

Jesus once used an analogy about sand versus rock. He compared those who heard His sayings and obeyed them with those who did not. He likened people of obedience to a wise man who built his house on a rock sturdy enough to withstand high winds, rain and floods.

By comparison, Jesus said, “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:26-27)

We too may have cracks in our spiritual foundation. Each day we would do well to check for and expose the gaps and pressure points that keep us from following God’s Word. Like quicksand, the simplest cracks, such as gossip or anger, doubt or a sense of guilt, can pull us under. When it does, we lose sight of His will.

Quicksand is well-named. In the blink of an eye it can suck us in until we’re caught in a dangerous tide. But the moment we find ourselves sinking, we can call on God to save us. His Spirit will show us our weaknesses. Better yet, He will be our strength in removing them.

Lord, thank You for being our Rock. Keep us from the shifting sand of disobedience. Cause us to build our spiritual house on Your firm foundation so we can remain faithful to You and so we can draw others to Your love, joy and peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.