The other day I asked the Lord to show me something when I was in our back yard. He showed me the exposed foundation of our back deck. I realized that the house, the fence, the trees, and sign posts have foundations. They are everywhere–unseen and crucial to the structure that is seen.
Have you ever watched a house being built? It takes a long time to set the foundation in place. It seems as though nothing is happening during this phase. Yet, it is the buried foundation that provides stability and strength, insulating against rains, floods, and cold winds; resisting movement of the surrounding soil. The foundation’s base must be properly compacted, formwork set correctly, and concrete free of voids. Neglect any of these steps and the foundation can fail. Here are the steps for laying a foundation:
First, the layout drawing is approved by the architect, then the ground is cleared of boulders, weeds, and other debris. Next, the soil is compacted and measures are taken to keep moisture and pests out. The frame is built using a straightedge to assure it is level. Then concrete is poured into the foundation frame, again care is taken to level it out. Flaws are removed while the concrete is still wet. Finally it is allowed to cure. Care is taken to avoid cracks that can jeopardize the strength and life of the house if the foundation is not done properly.
The foundation is a picture of what goes on inside of you and the choices you make. The architect represents God. The layout drawing depicts your dreams and aspirations. When you take steps toward softening your heart and clearing your thoughts and desires of earthly lusts, God can firmly plant His Word, His way, and His will within you. You protect yourself from poor choices when you guard your eyes, your ears, your thoughts, and your steps.
The builder uses a straightedge to keep the house’s foundation level. You have God’s Word. What the world may say, what others may say, are of little concern if they are outside God’s straightedge. When you work with God to purify your choices, your life will become useful to Him. When your foundation is laid in Him, you will achieve your dreams, which have likely changed by now. Worldly lusts and pleasures, weeds, will jeopardize your strength and life. Your foundation is being constructed in the hidden places of your heart and soul. It may seem as though nothing is happening, yet it is critical that you allow yourself the time to be “leveled out” by God’s straightedge, His Word. God knows that you need to build your life on a firm foundation in Him.
Jesus tells us to build our house on the rock–His Word. When we do, we are able to withstand the storms that inevitably come (Matt. 7:24-25). A rock is solid, firm, hard to move. Sinking sand is just that–sinking, shifting, unstable. Question is, what kind of foundation are you building your life on?
I appreciate the weeds that are growing in our exposed foundation. They represent the worldly desires in the foundation of my heart. They will continue to grow until I pull them out by the roots or spray them with weed killer. Even then, more will come in their place. They can only be completely removed by the One Who knows more than I.
The next time you are outside, look at any structure and consider how the foundation of the structure determines the stability of it. Then think about your own life and the choices you are making. Are you allowing God’s Word to level the unseen foundation in your life? The answer to this question lies in the seen actions you take, the choices you make this day.