The story had been from Matthew 7, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where He talks about wise and foolish builders and the need of a strong foundation in life. The children had coloured and glued little paper ‘houses’ onto stones like this one, gathered for the occasion.
I’m not sure what happened in this case but two thoughts come to mind. The first is that despite being given a firm grounding of faith in our childhood we can still be torn from our moorings by the deceptions and temptations of this world.
How heart breaking it is when we talk to someone who loved and followed Jesus in younger years who is now captive to the trendy cultural atheism that is doing such damage in Western countries at the moment.
They seem highly qualified as to the mechanics of the universe but clueless as to why we exist in the first place. Without a sound moral base they are militant about racism and animal rights but ambivalent about sex and the wholesale slaughter of preborn children. Unhappy people, unsafe society.
But the second thing I see is that while the fragile building seems ruined and blown away, the foundation remains.
These founds run deep and are underwritten by an Authority infinitely greater than those trying to silence or remove Christian influence from society.
The New Testament declares, ‘Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today and forever.’ (Hebrews 13 v 8) He hasn’t changed. His truth still provides bedrock and sets us free. His blood once shed on the cross still cleanses people from sin. No one is more patient, more understanding and kind.
A song some of us learned in Sunday School included these words, ‘There’s a way back to God from the dark paths of sin, there’s a door that is open and you may go in…’
May God have mercy on us all, giving light to our darkened minds and hearts, turning His children from stupid rebellion and stubborn pride, renewing faith and hope and love. Greater than ever, may we know His redemptive love.
Amen. Come Lord Jesus.