Still Standing

The rain came down, the stream rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. — Matthew 7:25

I was reading my last couple of WMDs. Yes, they sound a bit whiny and yes, they are words from a dude being turned every which way but loose. When you read this, the school year will be over and I will be enjoying the beginnings of Summer break. However, as I write this, there is still a lot of stress and a lot of pressure on my life. I hate storms. I hate real storms, but I really can’t stand spiritual storms. Through this last one, I have learned maybe the greatest lesson of my life . . .

I am built to last.

I’m not built to last because I’m a good person. I’m not built to last because I read the Bible and pray. I’m built to last because my foundation is on the Lord Jesus Christ. The rain did come down. I was wondering when it would stop. The streams did rise. I was wondering if they would carry me away. The winds did beat against me. I was wondering if I’d stand. Yet, here I am . . . Still standing.

The thing that I realize now is that I was under a spiritual attack. Looking back, my circumstances hadn’t changed as drastically as I had thought. Satan had just turned a small hill into a mountain. There was always that whisper in my mind “you will fail,” “you can’t do this,” blah, blah, blah. I knew those voices weren’t from God, but they still wouldn’t go away. All of this led to physical and spiritual exhaustion.

Seventeen years ago, I began to follow Jesus. My dream of being a rock-n-roll guitar god was buried six feet underground. My drinking and partying days got laid to rest. Equipped with nothing but the Holy Spirit, determination, an NIV Bible that my friend bought me 5 years previously, I set out on the narrow road that leads to life. I have to admit, that road was pretty lonely for a while. Those same voices talking to me these past few weeks were talking to me then as well. “Turn around,” “go back,” “it’s not worth it,” “nobody else is doing it,” blah, blah, blah.

I still don’t recognize those voices as quickly as I should, but I do think I am recognizing them more and more quickly. I type this today watching the clouds roll away. It’s like that beautiful ray of sunshine that you see through all of those violent looking clouds. You just have to stop and stare at it because the contrast is simply amazing.

I say all that to say this. If your house is built on the sand of temporary pleasures, you will fall when these storms come. Storms are inevitable. God built us who believe on His name with the storm in mind. I’m so glad I haven’t spent these last seventeen years like the prodigal son. He wasted all of his father’s resources on the life I thought I wanted to live two decades ago. The rains came down, the stream rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

My house is built on the sure foundation of Jesus Christ.

Where is yours built?

Later

Adam