Rest For Your Souls: A firm Foundation

Because I have kids, I really like the playgrounds in Berlin. It seems like at every corner a tiny Spielplatz paradise awaits excited kids and tired parents alike.

One unique feature about Berlin playgrounds is that they almost always have sand. The sand provides not only a soft surface to run, play or fall on, but is in itself a toy for the kids to dig in and build with.

Playing in the sand on a recent trip to the beach.

My oldest child enjoys building intricate structures with the sand. My youngest child often tries to help his brother with these creations. More often than not, the creation gets crushed or falls apart, causing a short argument before a new building project begins.

In Matthew chapters 5-7 Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. In this teaching, Jesus describes the character and actions of people who follow him.

At the end of this profound time of teaching, he challenged his listeners to respond. In Matthew 7:24-29, Jesus used the image of sand and rock to describe the different foundations we build our lives upon.

To paraphrase Jesus, each person builds their lives on something. Maybe it’s a person’s family, career, money, hobbies or a particular worldview or philosophy. Jesus questions should cause us to reflect and ask ourselves, what is the foundation of my life? Is my central focus strong like a rock, bringing stability to my life? Or is it weak like sand, leaving me insecure and unstable?

These questions matter because we all face challenges, temptations, and struggles in life. Like wind and waves beating against a house in a storm, sickness, job loss, relationship struggles, and disappointments can beat against us.

When challenging times come, the foundation of our life must be strong. If it’s not, the winds and waves will crush us and leave us with nothing.

So where can we find a solid foundation to build our lives upon? According to Jesus, we can build our lives upon him, a firm and steady foundation (Matthew 7:24).

Jesus provides us a different kind of security in life. He is a constant source of strength, love, peace and provision even when everything else and everyone else lets us down. The things that he taught us, of loving God and loving others, provides a stronger foundation when challenges come.

Ultimately, Jesus offered us himself. He is God in person, who loves and cares for us. He created us, died for us, and overcame the grave for us, so that we could build our lives on his rock solid foundation.

The reality is that if we build our lives on anything this world gives us, then this world can take it away from us. While things like family, work, money, and relationships are important, if we make them the ultimate thing in life, eventually they will fail us like shifting sand in a storm. But Jesus offers us another alternative, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

When the storms of life come, which they will, Jesus keeps us secure, a firm foundation in him.

What have you built your life on?

If you want to explore more of Jesus’ teachings, join us next Tuesday for Explore the Bible.