Isn't it
amazing to see construction in motion? The work that goes into not only
planning a task of building, but the unity and the communication of each
individual group or company working together is astonishing. Often times we see
time lapse videos of how things are built over time and how long it takes. We
marvel at the sped up motions of hundreds of workers putting up walls,
concrete, steel beams, and roofs. Details are added last to accent the
structure and make it stand out to those who will see it. Sometimes engraving,
paint, landscaping, parking lots, lights and anything else the designer or
project manager has put in the finished product design is added.
Stadiums,
sky scrapers, apartments, homes and businesses all go up in time but before
anything is ever done to the, “building up,” often times the existing land has
to be cleared. Some things must be taken down, destroyed, scrapped away, and
pulled off. In my experience, things have been demolished to allow for space,
or new things. It is a fascinating site to see buildings implode for new things
to come about. Today, in your state of mind, I ask that you think of the
foundations laid out before you, your own structure.
Jesus gives
us a story similar to the idea of foundations. Where are “you” grounded? I’m
sure we have all heard the parable, “house built on firm foundations stand, and
house built on weak foundation crumbles.” The implications to this passage in
Mathew chapter 7 are very important when we think about how we are to live our
lives. The symbolism of the rock, a safe place, firm and not shaky, gives us
confidence to know that when things happen, the rock is strong enough to not
crumble. However, sand is not as strong. If you have been to the beach, let me
tell you something, sand is not very easy to build on. Water normally washes
whatever attempt to build away because grains of sand are easily broken apart.
Another
thing that comes to mind when thinking of foundations is Jesus. All buildings
have a “cornerstone” that sets it all in place. It is the most important piece.
Christ is the place and foundation of which everything else comes from. Paul
gives us a look into the supremacy of Christ in Colossians 1. That, “in him,
all things hold together, and everything was created through him and for him.”
As foundations around us are torn down and raised up, we can see that in order
for things to be built, most things also have to be excavated. This example
holds true, in just about every case. In order to build up, you must tear down
and clear out the rubble. Construction does not and cannot happen, if the place
where the contractors want to build is already occupied by other buildings or
debris. They must dig down deep, and remove any possibilities of a faulty
foundation to ensure the safety of the structure.
Jesus too,
was a foundation on Earth and remains the stronghold of those who believe in
him. The destroyed connection of God and Man needed a foundation overhaul. It
is important to remember, Jesus was not a second construction. He was always
part of the original design. Jesus was not only the paver of the road to God;
he was beaten, slashed, mocked, and for all purposes, dug into by the sins of
this world. He hung on a cross to clear the foundation for us. So that IN HIM,
we find new life. Without a tilled, excavated piece of land, no one can build
on it. Jesus is the foundation for us.
So what are
your foundations? Do you trust God with the foundation he has excavated for
you? Jesus death was not in vain. It had a purpose. God had a plan. That in the
demolition of one man, all would be free. This solid ground we now stand on for
those who are in the Lambs book of Life, it’s as if God himself took his
finger, in the perfectly laid concrete, and wrote your name down.
Where is
your foundation today? Is it shaking because some things are eroding? Are you
given God the glory he is due, because of Christ work on the cross. The
foundation is simple, the concept is hard. It’s a faith walk to trust in a
foundation that is merely laid out in a book. Today I tell you, the Bible, a
book of plan, design, and story, had the best contractor, who laid the perfect
foundation for all who believe in it, to live in security of His name, not a
faulty foundation.
