Do Over

I came across a story about someone going through a difficult time with their home being repossessed by the bank. Typically, in conjunction with a foreclosure, you will also see the frustration and heart brokenness that comes with having something meaningful taken away from you. As I read into their story further, they began to speak about the opportunity that was presented, and that they saw it as a time to start over. Having their home taken away from them caused them to reflect on their decisions, and to “try again” with new perspective.

In my vacation time last week, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking, dreaming, and praying about the year ahead. I’ve also adapted the reboot mentality. My hopes are high, my expectations for God to do great things in and through the church are extremely high, and my personal aspirations for breakthroughs are also very high. If you don’t have high hopes for this year, my prayer is that by the end of this devotional, you will! You don’t have to go through a foreclosure to be presented the opportunity to start over. All that it takes is reflecting on some words from Jesus!

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus talks about building a foundation in your life that will stand against any storm that comes your way. Are you prepared for the storm? If a metaphorical storm hit your life today, would you stand strong, or would you be crushed? Have you ever been inside a shelter or a really strong and safe structure/home when a storm came? You can watch it go by and remain unharmed.

Jesus wants us to build our life in that way. The kind of life that is unfazed by the storms, so we can keep moving forward! But how can we make sure we build a strong, storm-proof home like this?

Matthew 7 (The Message)

24-25 “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

26-27 “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”
Jesus is speaking about hearing His word, and DOING His word. We cannot simply just go to church and hope it builds a strong foundation, nor can we rely on getting into and reading His word. Jesus said “the way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention…..What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills.”

I believe God wants us to press the reboot button by making a declaration today: I am not just going to hear His Word, but I am going to do His Word. In this, my house will be built rock-solid to stand against any storm that comes my way, and I will be able to remain unfazed, continuing to do the works He has prepared for me to do!

January 3rd, 2015 12:42pm