Luke 6:47
“He who comes to me, hears my words, and then puts them into practice, is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on a rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it…because it was well built.”
This is a great picture of a life well built. Jesus says that he, “…dug deep…” This I believe speaks concerning the patient time it takes in building a quality life. I have spent many years building a good foundation in my life. Now, hopefully, I am finally to the point where God can build something through me that will last the test of time. If you expect to build something that will last…no matter what your vocation, or what your dream might be….if you want to see it established…you must be prepared to take some time to dig deep!
Now, knowing that our lives are building projects, which are being developed by the strength of God, the wisdom of his truth, the investment of others into us, and many days of long faithful work on our behalf …we should understand the tremendous responsibility with which we have been entrusted. It is in us that God has placed such great treasures of purpose…a purpose to build something wonderful through us for the good of our family…our community…and also for others around us who need it most. Certainly without a doubt…Dream Big…but also be prepared…to Dig Deep!
On one particular occasion I remember that I was going through a tremendous trial, one which was affecting everything in my life. As I lay weeping, an older friend of mine came up to me and put his arms around me and said, “What is the matter my friend?” I responded in tears, “I am devastated, and all that I had hope to build seems to be falling apart.” He asked, “How old are you?” I responded, “I am 29 years old.” He just chuckled very calmly and said, “Son, you need to relax. God is under control of your life. I didn’t see any real success in this company until I was in my forties…and that was only after three separate bankruptcies of failed attempts.” Sometimes we feel like we are going down instead of up. In many cases that is just God’s way of forcing us to prepare for his true purpose in us. Sometimes we have to dig down, before we can build up! After some twenty years of hard work, and now at sixty-five years of age, my friend had established a multi-million dollar company, one which was having huge success, one which had a deep foundation, and one which would endure for many generations to come.
Proverbs 9:1
“Wisdom has built her house…”
Consider Noah who built the Ark…a project which took approximately forty years to complete. However, before one tree fell, Noah had taken the time to ask God for the exact measurements of the Ark. Before man had ever seen rain, Noah had a dream not only to build a boat…but a literal cruise liner of wood, 450 ft. long, 75ft. wide, and 45 ft. tall. No tiny skiff could have endured the massive disaster that the world was about to endure. Wisdom certainly does build her house...and she builds it big and strong…so that whatever she builds…it will have the strength and fortitude to endure whatever might come her way.