So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone; a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” Isaiah 28:16 (NIV)
The other day I was driving to work when I passed a construction site, and through the wire fence, I could see the foundations going in. What struck me most was the size of the hole that had been dug to lay the foundations. It was enormous! I was thinking why on earth they would need such a large hole, when I felt God challenge me, ‘If they’re going to build up high, they’re going to need deep foundations.’ This got me thinking about what my own life was built on. I, like everyone, have made mistakes, but it is in understanding that Jesus has paid our debts and wiped the slate clean for all of us, that I can allow Him to build my future. It can be so easy to be shaken when things happen in our lives, or to focus on our past failures, but there is no need to. The bible describes Jesus as the cornerstone- the important stone around which foundations are built. We are also told that He is the firm rock upon which we can stand. I don’t know about you, but when the storm hits, I’d much rather be on a solid rock, than on sinking sand.
What are you building your life on? Is it a bright hope for tomorrow, or a regret or mistake of yesterday?
As I pondered on this further, I was reminded about a favourite game in crèche. The toddlers love the duplo bricks and will invariably build the highest, thinnest tower they can. It’s all about height with the little ones! There will come a point where, their hand will (accidentally or deliberately) knock the tower, and the whole thing will come crashing down. In their excitement to build high, they often haven’t realised how flimsy their structure is. We can be like that sometimes too, when we run ahead of God, or run away from Him. Invariably it will be straight into a pit, because in our haste, we haven’t spotted the open manhole cover that He was trying to help us avoid. We can be so preoccupied with building high; moving forward, accruing money or possessions and appearing to have it all together, that we forget to build solid faith foundations.
If you’re going through a situation today and you feel like you’ve been in a place of waiting for a while, take heart. God IS doing things beneath the surface, building foundations and strengthening structures in our faith, that will grow us and mature us.
When I was travelling in New Zealand, I saw a sign, that just lifted and encouraged me so much after a particularly torrid few days, which involved a lost passport, missed flight and frantic phone calls. (A story for another day!) I was at the Auckland Immigration office, which was being renovated, and someone had placed a sign by the lift which read, ‘Present inconvenience, Future benefits’. That waiting season you’re in? Although it is inconvenient now, there will be future benefits.
I Am...Ruby Slipper Girl 