Building Your Foundation

What would you say if someone came up to you and asked, “What takes up your time? What constantly has your attention? What are the things in life you willingly give your time to?”

I think most of us know what we’d like to say. Family. Friends. Faith. But if we’re being honest with ourselves, sometimes the foundation of what we build our lives around are material things. We get immersed in our jobs, our sports teams or our favorite Netflix shows and ignore what the foundation of our lives are supposed to be.

Jesus said in Luke 6:46-49:

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are 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.”

For a long time in my own life, I had been caught up in putting my time and effort into material things instead of bettering myself through the word of God. I was quick to anger. I was harshly judgmental at times. I went through times of extreme selfishness. I thought I had everything figured out.

By no means am I now perfect. I still battle some of those very same things every day. However, I recently have rediscovered what — or rather Who — is the foundation on which to build my life.

I started attending Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee with my girlfriend, Heather, back in February and it just seemed to click and resonate with me from the start. Long Hollow’s pastor, Robby Gallaty, said something that seems so simple but really has all of the power in the world:

“Jesus never has to say another word again because he’s already said everything that needs to be said through the word of God.”

I’ve been a Christian since I was nine years old and I’ve always heard your classic “Read the Bible and you’ll be changed!” lines but never really invested in reading it like I should’ve.

Guess what: Reading the Bible and truly taking the time and effort to invest in God’s word…..it makes a huge difference. Your entire perspective on life, relationships, work….everything. It changes.

I’m not saying don’t watch Netflix and read the Bible all day. I’m not saying don’t enjoy watching sports or don’t spend time and effort on your job. I am saying don’t let those things CONSUME your life.

Jesus said hearing his words and putting them into practice are like a man building a house who laid the foundation on a rock. When the storms of life come, the house gets hit but isn’t shaken because the house is well built.

I would encourage you all to get into the word of God and see firsthand what a difference it can make in your life. Pastor Robby has a saying that goes “Get into the Word until the Words gets into you.”

Invest some time in God’s word. Make Jesus and his teachings the foundation upon which your life is built. And then share that foundation with other people and see how it can change everything.