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Start With a Strong Foundation
Last night, I awakened several times to rain pounding on the roof. Early this morning, unable to sleep, I went to the basement to check on things.
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Last night, I awakened several times to rain pounding on the roof. Early this morning, unable to sleep, I went to the basement to check on things. Thankfully, the sump pump still worked well. But the patio drain just outside the back door had become clogged with leaves. I waded into the two-inch deep water in the bottom of the outdoor stairwell and cleared the leaves and muck, which allowed the water to quickly drain. I felt thankful for a sump pump that works. I could hear it run, sending water from below our home's foundation out, away from the house. I'm also glad we have a battery powered backup for that pump, because sometimes storms knock out electrical power. We didn't have to use it, but it's important that it is there. Some areas near us got five inches of rain overnight. Many roads and basements were flooded. Our house, again thankfully, is built on a strong foundation. It has a source for electrical power to run the pump and clear out the water, and a backup system in place. But what about my spiritual home? So often, when storms come, figuratively, into our spiritual lives, we're shocked. And even though it's happened before, we're unprepared. We realize that our foundation is weak, or that we're unable to keep the flood waters at bay, or even that the backup we'd hoped to put in place is not there. The resulting damage surprises and dismays us. For many, a new ministry season is coming. Both sunshine and storms are to be expected. Are you prepared? Lesson plans are essential. Creative programming ideas will help. Enthusiastic volunteers will help you care for and lead children. But is your soul prepared? Your own walk with God is the foundation of your ministry. Jesus told a story of two homes, one built on a rock, and another on sand. (Matthew 7:24-27) When I was a kid, we sang a song in Sunday School about that story, complete with motions (pounding a fist on our other open palm): "The wise man built his house upon the rock…and the house on the rock stood firm!" But how do you build that house? Is "building your house on the rock" simply mean trusting Jesus for your salvation? Is it about the hereafter, or the now? Is it about accumulating knowledge about God? According to Jesus, it's about hearing the gospel, and then, putting it into practice. It's not just knowing your should love God and love your neighbor, it's doing it. The Bible also says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain…" (Psalms 127:1) So maybe building your house is not about hard work, but about inviting the master renovator in to see what's needed and do it. And letting him guide our actions, letting him teach us how to practice our faith, and then living out what's in our hearts. So often we fall into the trap of thinking that more ministry activity or training will be the best foundation. Or that having other people who hold us accountable will be enough to sustain our work for God. We're trying to find time for all the things we need to get done in ministry, when what we need is to find space—space for God. And that is what spiritual practices give us—space for God to show up and minister to us. To build the house. |
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