Sinkholes

“‘ Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.’” (Matthew 7:24-25. NASB)

A few days ago I saw a video of a house falling into a sinkhole. It appeared only the front of the house fell leaving the home’s gaping interior uninhabitable. Thankfully the residents escaped unharmed.

Perhaps the owners built without giving the foundation much thought. They must have believed their home was built on solid ground. But even so, foundations need maintenance, they need focus and attention, to be “shored-up”: siding needs painting, beams need bracing, roofs need replacing. Of course, all this will not stop a house from falling into a gaping sinkhole; we must build on solid ground.

So I wonder, am I giving the Foundation of my life enough attention? It’s a rhetorical question; I know the answer. Just like my roof (which is being replaced as I write this) needs regular maintenance, so my relationship with You. And yet, while I am pretty good at making time to talk to You (pray) and read Your word (the Bible), I’m not always so good at listening to You. For my part, that absolutely essential element of our relationship needs more attention. I need to exercise discipline to both hear and listen to You, to focus on Your still small voice, the voice that I too often allow to be drowned out by the overwhelming noise and busyness of life. I need to “be still and know that [You] are God.” (Psalm 46:10 ESV)

Father, please help me to stop and “be still,” to listen to You; to remember and know that You are God, my God. Help me remember that listening (and obediently responding) is essential for a firm foundation to our relationship.