Build A House

Dec 28, 2022

We are approaching the end of 2022 and I always get so excited, expectant that God is going to meet me in a new way in the new year!

I have never been a “New Year’s Resolution” type gal, but I have always felt a tug toward preparation for what’s to come. I find such joy reflecting on all God has done in and through my life throughout the year.

But I also take a moment to be present with some of the things that didn’t go as planned.

I think there is value in reflecting on shortcomings and the desire to make improvements. It helps me to live in a state of self-awareness and clarity.

Recently, I have become obsessed with a new show called “Buy my House.” The premise of the show is that homeowners from across the US pitch properties for sale to four experienced real estate investors, hoping to make a life-changing deal on the spot. The homeowner walks in knowing their bottom price and they do not want to budge from it. Why? Because they have put their heart and soul into these properties! Some of them have the most touching stories about how they came about the property and how hard they saved to buy the home and fix it up. And now, they want what they feel it’s worth. Well what’s interesting is that nine times out of ten, the investors offer way lower than the asking price. You see, they consider things like foundation and possible up-keep costs.

Now, what I saw on the outside was a beautiful home! But what the investors foresaw could not be seen.

And it got me thinking about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in the book of Matthew saying,

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

- Matthew 7:24-27

The word “house” in this passage doesn’t refer to an actual building but, our lives.

God wants you to build your life on Him.

You see, it’s not just about hearing God’s words, it’s about putting them into practice. And what a great time to reset before the new year. Let’s strive to be followers of Jesus who want to build a house that is sturdy and unshaken. Let’s not paint over the issues of our lives, rather be willing to tear down what’s not good and rebuild.