FIRM FOUNDATION

BLOG HOST, 10-27-2010

HOST:  JAY MARTIN

Luke 6

In our reading for today, Jesus says:  "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?  I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.  He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

          Our lives can look pretty solid even when they are built on the shifting sands of priorities other than Jesus.  That is, they look good until the winds blow—until the storms crash.  Prior to Hurricane Katrina, there were beautiful homes such as this one that looked solid as can be:

          The beautiful old historic deMontluzine home before Hurricane Katrina.  It appears ready to withstand anything.  But add the storm.  The result:

     

          This beautiful, seemingly strong home, near the ocean, was reduced to rubble.  Unfortunately, this is what happens when the foundation crumbles. 

 

These were homes near the beach in Pass Christian.  They too were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina.  Pass Christian is special to me—it was on a beach there on October 16, 1993, that I asked Dawn to marry me.  Standing there on the sugar white sandy beach, and looking out over the Gulf of Mexico, I proposed to Dawn.  I can attest to its beauty and charm, that is until Hurricane Katrina totally devastated it.  Unfortunately, that picturesque setting changed.

          Jesus says our lives are this way—some people look strong, but they have built on the wrong foundation.  When the pressures and storms of life come, they collapse.  Others build their lives on the words of Jesus.  They make Jesus Lord.  The same storms come—serving Jesus doesn’t exempt us from difficulty—yet, when the storm is over, they are standing.

          Hurricane Katrina hit Bay St. Louis hard also, and Christ Episcopal had some damage.  But yet, the cross and tower survived, pointing the cross heavenward. 

Our passage today has one very clear message:  the depth and endurance of our faith depends on building our lives on Jesus’ words, and truly making Him Lord of our lives!