Matthew 7:24-25
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.”
She asked for my arm as she climbed the porch stairs.
I was privileged to offer my foundation.
Hers was shaky.
Trick knees, I guess.
There is no assurance with an unreliable foundation.
The more you place upon it, the more likely it is to give way.
Jesus likened our lives to a house.
People, problems, and potential all come knocking.
If you trust your foundation, there is an ease to receiving these guests.
If you don’t think your foundation can handle such weight, you’ll find yourself shooing these visitors out the door as quickly as you can.
Only two problems with that.
1. These Guests Belong in Your House.
There are people assigned to you in life.
Parents. Friends. Neighbors. Children. Clients. Supervisors. The IRS.
And even if you happen to cut yourself off from all these people, you are still responsible for yourself.
And that’s no small charge!
There are problems assigned to your life.
You did not choose where you were born, who you were born to, when you were born, or what body you were born in.
These pre-destined realities afflict you with their blessings and problems.
No matter how unwanted, they fit with the décor of your life in a way that wouldn’t work in anyone else’s.
There is potential in you.
Potential resides hidden in you breaking free of its shell and pushing to the surface of your experience without your direct involvement.
That’s the reason why what you are, what you know, how you think, and what you possess now will not remain static.
You progress inevitably towards something more positive or more negative.
We are never given the choice to change or remain the same, only how we change.
2. Weight is Glory.
While weight stifles and crushes, it’s the only thing producing diamonds.
While weight burdens and slows, it’s the only thing producing meaning.
And both beauty and purpose are glorious.
Our natural reaction to the afflictions of our guests is to treat them as aliens, and yet, they belong in our lives by design.
Designs to glorify you.
Like God glorified Joseph through people, problems, and potential. (Genesis 45:13)
Like God glorified His Son, Jesus, through people, problems, and potential. (John 13:21-31)
Jesus’ Commands Uphold the Weight of His Glory in You.
Nothing else can withstand the pressure of the guests He sends your way.
Any other way of living are trick knees waiting to give way.
We are all the old lady walking up stairs.
Will we lean on Jesus or risk our lives to unreliable legs?
What About Intruders?
So far we’ve explored the productive weight of guests in our lives but I’d be remiss if I didn’t say a word on the role of intruders.
You see, guests belong in the house; intruders do not.
Guests are to be welcomed and served; intruders are to be refused and evicted.
Some people are intruders.
Some problems are intruders.
Some potentials are intruders.
Sometimes it is easy to spot one of these unwelcome interlopers.
But beware! Many of them disguise themselves as guests.
Thank God that the same foundation Jesus laid to support our lives also provides discernment and protection against thieves, destroyers, and killers.
Obey Jesus’ commands today and He will hold you up!
Pastor Joshua
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Bill Seymour says
I like the way you tied together how God’s word provides the power to obey as well as the wisdom and discernment that is necessary; how to obey, when to obey, where to buy, for instance. I can have a sudden overwhelming conviction that I should be donating to the poor. There are a million ways to obey and it is not always obvious how to proceed.
Joshua Cole says
Thanks, Bill. Discernment is available for anyone who will take the time to get to know Wisdom. Thank god for His guidance.
LeAnn says
I have read this over and over… It is much needed read. Thank you.
Joshua Cole says
You’re welcome, LeAnn. May God bless and keep you.