The waves of life will always come on the shores of our existence. At times they will recede and other times they will envelop and encroach on the areas we look for such as peace and what we cherish. Just as the canvas of the sand changes by the strokes of the waves so does the circumstances and trials we face change the landscape of our lives. Peace can only come when we acknowledge trusting and building on the sand is futile. Circumstances and trials are like the sand on the beach; they are forever changing and the more we hold on to the obsession of stability the more frustrated we become. “But let us be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand (Matthew 7:24-27 NIV).”
The desires we have for the things of the world can only be equated to building a sand castle. Our expectations holding on to our own stability and reliance is what gets us into trouble. For example you say, “today is the day I am not going to argue with my child,” and just as quickly as you promise, your child walks in and disrespects you. The sun rises as you stretch on the side of your bed and your thoughts glisten with, “today is going to be a great day at work,” just to find out later a co-worker has been talking badly about you. There are many thoughts of optimism yet it only takes a crashing wave of a financial set back, a soured relationship, or illness to destroy all that we have built on the sand, which eventually washes away.
Building on Jesus, our true “Rock” is the secret of success. When you base your identity on what God says about you and trust that He will work it out, you will find peace is attainable. It doesn’t mean life is going to be easy, but what it does mean is it will fall into rhythm. Just as the seasons change every year there will be an expectancy and appreciation for what each holds. Jesus expressed in John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”. Waves are not the enemy and what you choose to build on is a choice. Investors always look for the long term gains and if you are looking for stability in all areas of your life, then building on Jesus is the way to go.
Dive Deep:
- What makes building on the sand so dangerous?
- What are the natural elements of life that are slamming against you? (example, financial, relational etc.)
- What are the benefits when you build on the Rock?