Devotion - Thursday, November 3

Jesus ends his Sermon on the Mount with a comparison between the person who builds their house upon the sand, and a person who builds their house upon rock. The analogy is that the house built upon the sand is easily washed away when the rains and the floods come. The house built upon the rock stands firm.

Jesus has finished presenting the bedrock of his teachings. He has told us, in the preceding three chapters, what we are to believe and how we are to act. "Follow these," he seems to be saying, "and you will be like the one who builds on rock."

But what if my house is already built? And what if it isn't built on rock? What am I to do?

Most of you are aware of my role in the Clemson Habitat houses. We build the house on campus, on a temporary foundation. The house is then moved to its permanent location. That sounds simple, but it is a lot of work. A lot of work. Moving a house is not easy.

So if I discover (or admit) that my house is not built where it is secure from the rains and the floods, what am I to do? Relocating the house will take a lot of work. A lot of work.

They guys who move our Habitat houses are slick. They have their own set of codes (they whistle instructions.) They go about tasks which seem minor to me, but when it all comes together you can see the reason why they completed that step. Their style might be a model for those wishing to relocate their "house."

First, think about the move. What will it take? Where will the move get you? How can you make sure that the new foundation is secure.

Next, go about it in small steps, not large ones. Few of us will have the opportunity or the desire to pick up, pack up and completely relocate.

Finally, enlist the help of others. Telling them of your desire to relocate and asking for their assistance in completing the task.

Jesus tells us about the foundation which is secure. Sometimes we reside there, happily. Others of us have to move. Moving is possible. It is a lot of work; but it is doable.