And I will build my life upon Your love,
it is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You
alone and I will not be shaken
Build My Life, Pat Barret
““Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
Matthew 7:24-25, ESV
Christians.
The definition of the word has gotten quite murky over the last few decades. It does not seem to have the same impact it had when I was a child and certainly doesn’t have the same impact as it had 100 years ago – never mind 2000 years ago.
Increasingly the definition of ‘Christian’ has become more and more watered down.
It is easy to see why so many people have become disillusioned with the church as an institution. It is easy to see why it has almost become a derogatory term in some circles.
The world asks: “where is your God?”
And unfortunately, the church is not offering many compelling answers.
Christians.
Followers of Christ.
Not just in name, but in word and in deed.
In his letter to the Corinthians Paul likens us to living letters – letters from Christ to the world. (2 Corinthians 3)
I often wonder what people see when they read me.
Do they see that joy unspeakable and full of glory? That peace that no mortal mind can comprehend? Do they see the mercy and grace that called me out of the grave of my past? Do they see the love of God?
James 1:22-25: 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (NIV)
We are urged, so many times, in the New Testament to live lives worthy of the one that Christ gave – to build our lives upon His Word.
In building our lives upon His Word – by reading it, meditating upon it (internalizing it) and putting the fruit of that meditation to work (living it) – we will see miraculous things unfold in, through and around us.
As we start living the Word and loving God we will be like the wise man who builds his house upon the rock – able to stand firm in the storms of life, unshaken, in victory. We will have more peace, more joy – we will see beauty blooming in the desert places of our lives. We will see changes in our personal lives, in our marriages, in our homes.
It will also have an effect on those around us. As we start living the Word and loving our neighbor others will see the reflection of Christ shining upon us. We will see changes happening in our workplace, in our friendships, at our schools and in our communities.
When they see us, abiding in the presence, they will recognize the presence of God abiding in us.
As the Word comes alive in us and bears fruit, as springs of living water spring up within us, the hungry and the thirsty will come to us, asking, “where is your God?” not in derision, but in desperation. We will not only be a house built on the rock, but a lighthouse to those lost at sea.
Christian, let us take up the work of seeking God in the Scriptures. Let us take up the work of Bible reading and study. Let us know the Word and put it in practice.
Let us build our lives on Him.
Prayer: Lord, as I seek You in the Scriptures, I ask that your Word will come alive in me. Lord, that the more I seek You, the more I will find You, and the more I find You the more I will pursue You. Lord, give me more of You. Flood my life with Your goodness and grace, flood my life with who You are – so that the world might see You in everything I do. In Jesus Name. Amen.