City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”

Matthew 7:24;27 (MSG)

Reflection

This parable reminds me of the fairy tale The Three Little Pigs. As I was searching for references, I remembered this little gem that cleverly weaves both together (it’s fifteen minutes long):

Larry and Mr. Lunt laughed at Bob who went the extra mile with his firm foundation. The foolish man in the parable may have laughed at the wise man as well. But both Bob and the wise man were commended because they had foresight and prepared for the troubles ahead, despite what others thought. They had a goal with a reason in mind, their “why.” 

The foolish man didn’t make a strong foundation a priority because he either didn’t care or he let the busyness of life distract him. The wise man likely had similar matters to attend to as the foolish man, but he prioritized his firm foundation, he kept his “why” firmly in the center of his life. 

Application

What is your “why”? What are you building your house on and for what reason? 

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to build my foundation on You, the True Solid Ground. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.