Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV) records the famous parable about the wise and foolish builders:
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
I’m sure you’ve read this verse before and maybe even heard it preached many times. It’s a biblical concept, yet also an accepted universal truth: adversity is going to hit our lives, regardless of where we live or who we are. The conditions were exactly the same for both homes, both experienced rain, rising water, and beating winds. What determined the viability of the structure of the home was the internal foundation, not the external conditions.
Jesus was saying a lot here, which can only be fully understood by reading this text within the context of a whole lot of other red-letter words in Matthew. But it’s safe to generally summarize that storms come to everyone and that faith, values, character, beliefs, and virtue determine the outcome.
Last week we experienced our first hurricane as Floridians. Hermine raged literally and figuratively in our lives. Multiple events occurred in my family, which blew and threatened destruction. Hunkering down in stunned self-protection, I faced the storm more in fear than faith, more in a position of defeat than victory.
After days of darkness and heavy rain, the sun has now returned in the heavens and my heart. As I’ve set about to pick–up the debris, I’ve remembered this parable and the truth in the passage is easing my heart: STORMS WILL COME. This part is not conditional on my performance as a Christian, a woman, a mother, or an advocate. STORMS WILL COME – and when they do, they will beat down hard.
I’m thankful God knows how to free my heart and relieve that nagging deception of perfectionism that tries to weigh on my conscience. The truth I need to focus on is that the house did not fall. For that fact, I worship and find renewed courage today.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.[1]
[1] “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less“ by Edward Mote, 1797-1874. Full lyrics can be found here: http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/tlh370.htm
