Hi everyone! As I mentioned on my page about this site, I'll be posting a short devotional each month to share what I've been learning and growing in through my own walk with God. I pray that you find it encouraging as well!

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This past month, I’ve learned a lot about what it means to build a foundation — and to have that foundation tested. That’s why I want to open this month’s devotional with a short story you may be familiar with — a parable told by Jesus at the end of His well-known Sermon on the Mount, with a message that reflects the power of stories can have in our lives if we act on them.

Jesus says, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27) 

I’ve grown up hearing this story all my life. Because of that, I’ve taken it for granted that if a storm ever came, my foundation would be solid because I’ve been raised to believe all the “right” things. Yet in these last few years — even in this past month — I’ve found myself in situations I could have never dreamed would happen. Standing in the face of loss, trauma, and pain, I’ve asked myself questions that go the the very root of my faith and test what foundation my life is actually built on. Do extremely hard and painful circumstances change who I believe God is?

As I’ve dug into Scripture for myself and spent time wrestling through these questions, I’ve come to realize that faith isn’t a feeling — it’s a daily choice, and the outcome of that choice is revealed through the storms that come. Faith is built through seeking God daily and coming to know more of who He is, so that when I’m surrounded by hard circumstances, I can look through the storm to Jesus. Regardless of what’s happening and whether it changes or not, He is still Lord, and I’ve committed my life to Him.

It can be hard to find faith in the midst of pain and fear, and that’s why it’s the choice to follow God every day that’s needed to build that faith. 

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)

“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.” (1 Corinthians 3:11-13)

Following God takes everything, and it’s not meant to be easy. But making the choice to seek Him simply for who He is, not because I want Him to do something for me, is what brings lasting transformation. So, I’m choosing to build on that foundation each day, diving deep into His Word and learning His truth — because I know that storms will continue to come and test that foundation, and when that day comes, I want His light to shine through my life clear and strong.

A song that's encouraged me to build my foundation firmly in Christ is the song "Firm Foundation" (which shares the title of this post) by Cody Carnes. Click below to listen!