How to Stay Standing: 3 Practices for Building a Faith That LastsSample

A Firm Foundation

Most people would say they want a well-built life that is strong and at peace. But even if you feel that way today, none of us will escape times of weakness, trouble, and pain. So how exactly do you build a life that can take some hits and stay standing? That’s what we are going to explore together this week. Jesus’ instruction for doing that is right in today’s reading.

Jesus challenged His listeners with these words in the conclusion to His famous Sermon on the Mount. He wanted the crowds to look down and notice what they were truly building their lives on. Jesus was familiar with the human tendency to stick our heads in the sand and convince ourselves that it’ll all be okay. We all let ourselves hide a little sometimes—especially from God. Maybe you have put a lot of effort into building a "good life" and doing the "right things." But Jesus wants more for you.

The passage today tells us that saying the right words isn’t enough. Having the right beliefs isn’t enough. Being a “good person” isn’t enough. None of these things will build a faith and life that stands firm in the end. None of it is strong enough to be the foundation. Only Jesus is. This simple parable holds the secret to building a life that will stay standing, and it’s right there in three simple words from Jesus Himself: Come. Hear. Practice.

Adopting these rhythms of faith will help you dig down to the rock and stand on it when things get tough. The rest of this week we’ll explore these three ideas and help you actually do them in your own life. Standing on rock is the key to survival when the storms come in.

So where are you today? Take a few minutes to look down. Are you noticing the cracks in some part of your life? Are you already in a crash from a recent storm? Are you feeling okay and looking to proactively strengthen your faith? Whatever the ground around you feels like, Jesus wants your feet on the strongest foundation of all: Him. And He can get you there with these three rhythms.

Read the passage and pray this week that Jesus will begin to show you the way to solid ground.