The first four verses of today’s reading should be familiar to anyone who grew up going to Vacation Bible School. Though I sang The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock over and over as a child, I never saw any spiritual meaning or significance to the story. It was just a good opportunity to sing loud, bang your fists together, and drink a lot of Kool-Aid. Today, as I read from the vantage point of a 31-year-old husband and father, I see much more here. Specifically, I notice not how different the wise and foolish builders were…and yet, how much they had in common.
First, they both built houses. They both gave themselves to a cause that was greater than they were. Second, both endured storms. The wise person was not promised—nor did he expect—to be spared the experience of life’s storms. On the contrary, he anticipated them. That’s why he was willing to go to the trouble of building on rock…even though it would’ve been more labor intensive, time-consuming, and expensive to do so. The foolish person was impatient…seeing only the reality of the moment and living as if that moment would last forever; But, as is the nature of life, that moment never lasts.
Perhaps a storm is raging in your life at this moment. If not, I assure you that one is brewing just beyond the horizon. It will break over your life someday. Will you be prepared? What are you building your life upon? What are you teaching your children to build theirs upon?
-- Justin
Praise You in This Storm
The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock (a thought-provoking photograph)
Wise? or Foolish? (a coloring page for the kids)
Great thoughts. Casting Crowns ROCK!
ReplyDeleteThank you for that enthusiastic encouragement, honey. Question: Would it be more appropriate for Casting Crowns to "rock," or "reign"?
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