“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” – Matthew 7:24-27
It was a dark and stormy night…
Who hasn’t wanted to start a story or a narrative or a devotional with those words? In one segment of words, the scene has been set, the emotional content has been established, and one is ready to find out what happens next.
Through the spring of 2024 in north Texas, there were far too many dark and stormy nights. Tornadoes ripped through neighborhoods, floods made places impassible, and winds knocked over powerlines. As we enter the unrelenting heat of a Texas summer, we find that lake levels are receding, debris is being cleared, and recovery is set in motion.
The disturbing thing about storms is just how helpless one becomes when it is happening. One’s vulnerability comes to the fore when sitting in hunched over in a closet, waiting for the howling wind to calm. As the flood waters rise, the dreaded feeling of powerlessness as a seeping of water around the doorframe and windows now covers the floor of a home. Helplessness abounds as one hears hail damaging a roof.
Jesus talked about storms. Jesus talked about helplessness and vulnerability and powerlessness. Storms come in the form of weather, but they also come in other forms. Storms appear when layoffs are announced. Storms happen when cancer is diagnosed or when a relationship ends. Storms occur when peace is disrupted or when the grind of everyday life is unremitting.
Jesus knows storms are inevitable and sometimes too frequent. So, Jesus bids us to listen to his words and to make them our own. Jesus tells us to forgive gracefully, to give generously, to love scandalously, and to pray unceasingly. Jesus bids us to worry less about material possessions and outward appearances, focusing on living a life of righteousness and integrity.
When one hears these calls of Jesus and tries to live them, one is building a life that can weather the storms. Being in a space of courage, justice, beauty, and love is rock solid. You can build your Jesus-life there.
Let us pray
Lord Jesus, as we navigate life's turbulent storms, may our lives be built on being simple followers of your words and example. Through you, may we find assurance that our foundation stands firm amidst the challenges of rain, rising waters, and fierce winds. In your holy name we prayer. Amen.
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