There are about 15 mango trees and several other trees in our house. The heavy windy rains of June 9th that flooded parts of Accra uprooted one of the mango trees.
As I stood there in amazement the following Saturday perplexed at how such a big tree could be uprooted by the winds, many thoughts ran through my mind.
I walked through the whole compound and observed all the other trees, they still stood firm with their leaves moving to the rythm of the cool breeze as if it hadn't rained a drop.
All these trees were hit by the same winds and rains. But not all endured through to the end. The roots of one of the trees could not hold until the end. The tree was not deeply rooted and fell under the heavy thunderstorm.
There, the Holy Spirit started ministering to me. On what foundation are you building your life? The secret to a sustained successful life is our foundation. Rushing through the foundation stage of life in haste to make it in life is a recipe for disaster.
The Bible says "if the foundation be destroyed what shall the righteous do?" Psalms 11: 3
A tree may not bear fruits, its leaves may wither but still there is hope that this tree can flourish again. But if it is uprooted, that is the end. Habbakuk said even if the fig tree does not blossom and there are no fruit on the vine, he will praise the Lord. Job said there is hope for a tree that is cut off for it will sprout again and its branches will blossom. But then what happens when the tree is uprooted? A tree's source of life is in its roots. Through its roots the tree draws all the necessary nourishment it needs from the soil. A tree can be deeply rooted in a soil and still die if the soil doesn’t have the needed nutrients the tree needs.
In the same manner, the roof of a house can be carried away by the winds (like it did to my neighbour's house some time ago) and the painting can be washed away by the rains but if the foundation is not well done and the building collapses, that is the end.
This makes us understand how important our foundation is. On what foundation do you build your life?
On your degrees and certificates? On your wealth and properties? On fame and prestige? On some charms and incantations? Now ask yourself, will all that stand when the storms of life start? Will all that keep you through till the end?
Many people for fame and riches sold their souls to the devil. At first, their life is enviable but their end is nothing to write home about. Some commit suicide. Others become drug addicts and alcoholics.
In Matthew 7: 24-27, Jesus did a comparison between a wise man and a foolish man. The wise man built his house on the rock and it stood the test of weather. The foolish man built his house in the sand and it came tumbling down.
Who is this Rock? Jesus Christ! He is the Cornerstone! He is the Rock of Ages! He is the Solid Rock! He has stood the test of eternity. He has been there before the world began and He is still there.
1 Corinthians 3: 10-15 explains "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."
1 Corinthians 3: 10-15 explains "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."
Who goes through 40 years in the wilderness and comes out still strong unless the Lord himself is with them? Who goes through the storm and does not drown unless Jesus is in their boat?
Making Christ the foundation of your life, the foundation of your success, the foundation of your marriage is the wisest decision you can ever take in life.
Being a Christian does not mean you will not go through difficulties and hardships. Building your life on Christ means that at the end of those turbulence and storms, you will still stand firm and blossom. The troubles of life will not kill you but rather make you stronger.
Being a Christian means while other businesses are collapsing because of the economic meltdown, our businesses will be expanding and booming.
Building your life on Christ means all things will work together for our good.
Problems are bound to happen. Our time of test will surely come. Our wilderness period will definetly come. But will you be ready? We don't wait for the rainy season before we start building, we build in anticipation for the rainy season. Both the wise man and foolish man built before the rains came. Don't wait for the time of trouble before you seek God's face. Someone said if you only pray when you are in trouble then you are in trouble. Now that everything looks rosy is the time for you to search for God.
Psalms 50: 14-15 reads "Offer to God Thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High. And Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me."
How do we then build our foundation in Christ?
Matthew 7: 24-25 reads "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock."
You don't need cement or sand to build on the Rock. All you need is to hear God's Word and do Them. Now this is one simple logic. If you don’t mind God, you don't expect Him to mind you in return. Do you?
Obedience is Key to making Christ the foundation of your life. Samuel told Saul "Obedience is better than sacrifice." The songwriter said "Trust and Obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey."
I will end with one of my favourite Presbyterian Hymns. It moves me to tears any time I hear and sing it. I will also add the Methodist version that I love so much.
Now I have found the firm foundation
Which holds my anchor ever sure,
Laid long before the world’s creation
In Christ my Savior’s wounds secure,
Foundation which unmoved will stay
When all this world will pass away.
Captain of Israel's host, and Guide
Of all who seek the land above,
Beneath Thy shadow we abide,
The cloud of Thy protecting love;
Our strength, Thy grace; our rule, Thy Word; Our end, the glory of the Lord.
