Like many houses in our neighborhood, the interior and exterior walls of my house are marked by cracks. The sheetrock on the inside shows signs of stress and movement. Likewise, the mortar in the brick on the outside reflects the foundation has settled or moved since the house was constructed. I’m sure the original builders thought the foundation was thick enough to withstand the shifts in the soil, but the cracks in the walls tell another story.
Cracks in a house are not as serious as cracks in a life. Jesus, the master teacher, understood how to keep a life from cracking. In the Sermon on the Mount, He instructs the listeners to build their lives on solid rock that does not move. He explains that the solid rock for life’s foundation is His words. Jesus states, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock” (Matthew 7:24, NLT).
A wise person builds his or her life on the teachings of Jesus. This is a foundational principle for life, marriage, family and simply making decisions. Since all the Word of God is inspired by the Holy Spirit and preserved for our instruction and guidance, the wise man or woman will set the direction of his or her life based on the Bible. If you want to keep your life from cracking up, build it strong on the Word of God.
Obeying the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the first step for a strong foundation. The Gospel is the good news that God loves you (John 3:16). Our only hope for the forgiveness of sins is found in the cross where Christ died for our sins. Our only hope for eternal life is found in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Fellowship with God comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10, NKJ). Turning to Jesus Christ is the first step for a strong foundation for life.
Jesus acknowledged in His teaching that every life will face storms. He states, “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” (Matthew 7:25, NIV). Following the words of Christ prepares one for the inevitable storms that life brings. A strong storm will not only crack the walls of a poorly built structure, but also make it collapse. A life built on anything but the Word of God will eventually fall. The wise person will intentionally structure his life on the teachings of Jesus for the greatest joy of every day and to guard against the certain storms.
Are there cracks in your life? Have past decisions left you discouraged and hopeless? Don’t just cover the crack, but rather, fix the foundation. Build your life on Jesus Christ.