Rain, Floods, and Rocks

"Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash." (Matthew 7:24-27 NLT)

I've been keeping and eye on the weather forecast for my area today.  It's the end of January and the high temperature is going to be around 60.  This is significant for us today, because the weather also calls for lots and lots of water.  Since the temps are going to be so high, the water is not coming down as snow or ice.  We will have rain - thunderstorms to be more exact.  Flood warnings abound for our area.

As I walked out to the car this morning and into various buildings throughout the morning, I found myself looking at the ground around me.  I could see places where puddles were forming.  I could see where gutters were clogged.  I could see where pavement was loose and washing away.  I could also see the places that were strong and wouldn't succumb to the flowing water.

"Not everyone who calls out to Me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to Me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in Your name and cast out demons in Your name and performed many miracles in Your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who break God's laws.'  (Matthew 7:21-23 NLT)

It hit me today that I see the same kinds of patterns in people that I know.  Some find themselves trying to hold on to things rather than letting them "flow through" their lives.  Puddles form.  I see ones who let "junk" clog up their lives so nothing else can flow through.  I see some who are so uncertain, broken up, and loose that the smallest storm is able to wash them out.  Then I see still others whose lives are built on a solid foundation - the foundation offered by God - and they stand strong no matter what storms come their way.

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, for He taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.  (Matthew 7:28-29 NLT)

Rain is a blessing.  We need water to drink and to cleanse.  It can also be dangerous - pounding away at and eroding the foundation of our lives.  It really is best to build our lives planning on rain.