It’s only natural for our eyes to gravitate toward the grander of a building more than considerations of its foundation. But a building is only as strong as its foundation. And an otherwise impressive building will soon crumble when it’s built on a foundation of sand. The same is true when it comes to our life and relationship. Without a firm foundation our life will soon crumble into pieces.
But, like our approach to buildings, we often judge our lives based solely on external appearances. And so we deem a successful life by our social status and professional credentials, the size of our bank account, or by the house, clothes, and cars we are able to purchase. And while none of these things are inherently bad, none of it matters when it’s also a life built on a faulty foundation.
To be sure, we’re all building on a foundation whether we’re consciously aware of it or not. For many, their foundation consists of the rules and expectations inherited from their families, popular opinions, social trends, church traditions, and the like. Some might also attempt to build their life on the pursuit of their own happiness. And while many good elements might be included in these attempts, they all ultimately fall short when they don’t rest on God himself.
Our relationship with God is not something to work into our lives. It should be the very foundation on which we build our lives. And this is the only way to build a truly successful life. Our accomplishments in this life are then simply part of our service in his kingdom – things we can freely use and enjoy without them becoming an idol. Likewise, our ability to make an impact for good is not hindered when our life with God serves as the foundation for everything else.
In the end, consider the foundation on which your life and relationships are built. Life with God is our only firm foundation, as all other ground is sinking sand.
Photo by davide ragusa on Unsplash
