Foundations
When you build—what are you building on?
It’s exciting to build something: a home, a community, a family, a business, and so much more. Humanity has always been driven to create, using all kinds of materials and methods. We cast vision, draft plans, and apply engineering before a single beam is laid.
But once we’ve gathered our information, schedules, supplies, and manpower, one crucial question remains:
Can the foundation support what we’re building?
Engineers use stress tests and simulations to evaluate the strength of a structure before it’s even built. Interestingly, Jesus—the ultimate engineer—gives us His own kind of stress test in Matthew:
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.
But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.
When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
—Matthew 7:24–27 (NLT)
Notice—Jesus doesn’t describe the structure itself. He doesn’t mention the floor plan or lumber type. He’s not concerned with what you’re building nearly as much as what it’s being built on. Because a good foundation is critical—literally and figuratively.
Here in North America, we pour concrete footings and set piles deep into the ground. Any shifting or settling of that foundation affects the entire structure.
So ask yourself:
1. Am I obeying the teachings of Jesus?
Let the Holy Spirit—the Helper Jesus gave us—examine your foundation.
Be honest. Let Him guide you into truth. He disciplines those He loves.
Disobedience is like building without a plumb line—choosing not to measure anything against truth. But we need truth to be our constant when we lay out the base for our lives.
If your foundation’s out of alignment, realign it.
If your structure’s off square, re-establish the plumb line—Jesus Himself.
Struggling to know where to start?
Take a look at your life. Where are things out of square? Where is there stress, strain, or imbalance?
Start there. He’ll help. He’s the Master Builder—and He’s a good Father who will guide you into truth.
2. What storms have hit your life—and where have they left damage?
Maybe calamity, loss, stress, sickness, or depression has hit you or your family.
Is your structure standing strong? Or is it eroding by the day?
Do the winds rattle your walls, causing you to fear collapse? Or does your foundation hold steady during the test?
When foundations are built on sand, it’s painfully obvious during a storm. But when it’s your life, we don’t often rush to repair the foundation—we try to ride it out. We mask the damage, bury the pain, and hide the embarrassment of poor construction.
Men, I get it—it’s hard to admit mistakes in building. Especially when you’re fully invested. But set aside your pride—for the sake of your whole life.
Rework is costly, but it is not optional.
One way to measure the health of your foundation is by examining your coping mechanisms:
• Anxiety, fear, over-the-counter meds, street drugs, alcohol
• Pornography, masturbation (seeking chemical release)
• Obsessive work, overeating, media binging (escaping your own story)
• Video games (living a life other than your own)
• Unhealthy relationships (searching for love, respect, and validation outside your home and your God)
• Depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts…
I don’t list these things to shame you.
I list them because I’ve tried them all—frantically patching cracks in the walls while water poured in and shingles blew off. All while the foundation eroded beneath me.
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It reminds me of being a boy with my LEGO bricks.
I used to build these epic creations—every boy has. In my eyes, they were masterpieces. My parents would say “Wow, that’s great!” even if they didn’t know what it was.
But when a sibling or jealous friend pretended to smash into it, my masterpiece was suddenly at risk.
Emotion surged. I got angry. Maybe someone got a LEGO to the head. Suddenly we were screaming, crying, in a full-on war over plastic blocks.
Now think about your real-life creation—your home, your family, your business, your identity.
How much more valuable are those?
And now, Jesus—the Master Builder—walks onto your job site.
Will you scream and cry as He begins tearing down what you’ve built?
Do you think He’s trying to control you? Or… could He be looking into the beautiful eyes of your children and your spouse and desiring a stronger, safer structure—just like you do?
What if He sees that His love and your love, together, could build something far more lasting and beautiful?
But understand this: if your foundation isn’t set properly—when the storm comes (and it will), it will not hold.
The Master Builder is approaching.
Will you invite Him in…
…or kick Him off the building site?
—Written by: Gabe Voorhees