Grab a Brick

I love Lego.  When my children were growing up we always had a large amount of Lego bricks so everybody could get in there and build their own massive creations.  It was a wonderful rainy-day/winter activity with all of us, me included, down on the floor and sifting through the blocks to find that perfect one to complete our structures.

I still have that bin of Lego and it resurfaces when my grandchildren come to visit.  They know where it is and it is usually the first thing they go to when they get into the house.  Before I know it, the living room floor is covered with the myriad of bits and pieces.  I find that I can’t resist and I am right in there with them, helping them build whatever they want to create.

Early on these young ones learn that you can’t build a Lego tower without having a solid foundation.  There are cries of dismay when their structures fall apart because the base isn’t large enough to sustain the load.  We talk about how important a good foundation is and how to go about building it. Their sense of accomplishment can be seen in the delight in their eyes when they build their structure well and it withstands their playing efforts.

Jesus gives a great example of building our lives on a firm foundation.  In the Gospel of Luke, He says: “I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice.  He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.  When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  But the one who hears My words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation.  The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”  (Luke 6:47-49 NIV)

There is no doubt these days that the torrent has arrived.  Life as we know it has changed dramatically.  Those supports upon which we usually rely are often shaken or even destroyed.  Nothing seems constant other than uncertainty prevails.  

How do we deal with a world that is filled with uncertainty, violence, and often chaos?  How do we stay on course when it appears the goal posts keep moving?  How do we have a healthy, fulfilled life when we don’t know what new challenges are coming and things are precarious?

If I take the time to think about what is going on in the world I can easily feel overwhelmed.  There is so much hurt and pain and trauma.  There is so much need for food, shelter, and safety.  I want to live a healthy, well-balanced life and be able to help others.  How do I do that in this uncertain world?

How grateful I am to have my foundation on the Solid Rock that is Christ.  I couldn’t survive these times without that solid base.  I lead a full, rich life because I am God’s child, redeemed for a purpose.  I don’t need to worry about having strength to face each day – God provides it.  My life has direction and purpose because I know Who holds my future.

My friends, if you are one of the people of whom Jesus speaks who have built your life’s foundation on poor soil, think about what you can do.  Is your faith life shallow and easily moved by life’s circumstances?  Do you despair and find yourself flailing and drowning in a sea of difficult challenges?  Or maybe you know about Jesus as the sure foundation but things are still feeling a little shaky right now.

There is no other answer but Jesus.  “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 3:11) We can try to build our lives on our own and seek prosperity and fame, but in the end, those are not a strong base upon which to build our lives.  Those will not stand the torrents of this world and you will be swept away in destruction.  

Jesus’ words in Luke tell us what to do – hear God’s Word and put it into practice.  There is so much comfort and hope to be found within the Bible.  Let God’s Word speak to you and minister to you.  The answers you need are all within its pages.

I don’t claim to always have it right, that’s for certain.  I do know my life is better when God’s Word is my guide and source of strength.  When your life is built on the chief cornerstone, which is Christ, it is different.  Is it always easy?  No.  Is it richer and fuller and filled with purpose?  Yes.

Hold fast to God’s promises.  He provides the bricks we need to build a life with a solid foundation.  You can withstand the tumult that is life right now, with His help.