2000 years ago, two men move to a desert near a river. One man wants to grow his new business quickly and builds his house like every other man. He builds it right on top of the sand. The second man builds his house on a rock. Everyone said it was not necessary and mocked him for having such a high unnecessary standard. A couple years pass by and a storm hits. The banks of the river flood and now both houses have water in them Both families respond by getting on their houses. Soon the man who built his house on the sand recognises that his house will not hold and his whole family is in danger. He gets his family off their house right before the collapse and joins the family who built on the rock.
How often has that been the story of our lives? We build friendships, finances, health, entertainment or many other things only to find out its value in the midst of a storm.
Matthew 7:24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
How to build on the Rock?
- Listen to God’s Word
How many of us know that hearing and listening are two very different things? Someone you have value for or someone you want to learn from, you will listen to. Others you might hear but will forget what they say quickly. Listening is leaning in and weighing every word and filtering your beliefs through what is said. How different would our lives be if we listened to God’s Word.
2. Follows God’s way
Listening is a powerful first step, but unless you follow what you have learned the impact is considerably stunted. God does not want you to just know, understand, and agree with His ways, He actually wants you to live this way. To do this you have to believe that even when what He wants you to do something that does not make sense, His plan is good for you.
3. Build in God’s will
All of us want to know clearly what God’s will is for our lives. Many Christians want to know God’s will, then they will walk in God’s ways, and maybe they will get in His Word. Jesus taught something different. He said first listen to His teaching, then follow His ways, and then you will find yourself in the center of His will.
So what does this mean for you today? Where have you built your life on the sand? would it be your relationships? Money? Health? Career? Choose one today to focus on rebuilding on God’s will.
Live A Better Story
Brandon Sereg
