Becky Johnson
women's life director
On a sunny, warm day in December twenty-six years ago, my husband and I said our wedding vows. We couldn’t wait for the day to arrive and to begin our married life together! Like many young couples, we thought our life would be filled with joy and happiness. And it has! However, it hasn’t been all joy and happiness; we’ve encountered a few of life’s storms along the way! What we’ve come to realize in our twenty-six years is that no one escapes life’s storms. John 6:33 says that “in this life we will have trouble”. Whether married or single, young or old, you most likely understand this and have experienced a few storms as well! So the question becomes, how do we weather them?
This past weekend, Pastor Ron kicked off a new series entitled “Sandyland”, which leads us to answer this exact question…it all comes down to the foundation that our lives and marriages are built on. Are they built on a foundation of solid rock or sandy ground? Take a look at Matthew 7:24-27
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house and it fell with a great crash.”Through this passage we understand that the foundation on which you build your life will determine if you are able to weather the storm. And know…storms are coming! Pastor Ron talked about how godly marriages are built on simple things such as, time spent with God and each other, friendship, children, humility, forgiveness and of course, good sex! But marriages can also be torn down by simple things as well, such as unbalanced and misdirected time, communication issues, unmet expectations, financial compromises and unhealthy relational boundaries. In our marriages, it’s easier to compromise than to commit to each other and make it better. Compromise makes for a shaky, sandy foundation!
Matthew 7:24 says “everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” So how do we begin to build on the rock instead of sand? Hear...Do…Obey. Cultivate ears that hear God and his Word. Put into practice what God is teaching you. Learn to obey.
Storms are coming and for some, they’re already here. Marriages and life aren’t always easy. It can seem as though we’re standing in a downpour or in the middle of a raging storm. Yet your foundation doesn’t have to be made of shifting sand that can be quickly and easily washed away. It can be built on a solid, strong foundation of rock that withstands the raging storms of life and isn’t going anywhere!
Next Steps:
- Start by identifying the foundation your life and marriage is built on…rock or sand? Say a prayer that God will show you how you can intentionally build on rock and not sand.
- Identify a few areas in your life and marriage that need attention…
- Communication
- Finances
- Time
- Physical Issues
- Boundaries
- Children
- Determine one thing you can do in this next week that would intentionally address one of the above issues in your life and marriage.
- Determine one thing you can do this week that will build love into your spouse.
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