A friend, whom I love dearly, asked me a question recently that caused me to pause and think. Essentially the question they posed is "why do I feel empty when I have everything that you are supposed to want?" I paused because it is a question that resonates, at some point, in all of our lives. This question comes around to challenge us - you can fill in the blanks for yourself. If you have ________ then why do you still feel _________.
I believe that it goes back to our very foundation. What have we been building on? If it has been anything other than Christ - our rock and true foundation - then of course, it cannot stand when the storm winds of life begin to blow with Hurricane Dean category five speeds. Neither can it stand with the wind gusts of a normal day.
Imagine building a house of cards on a table. Each move to place a card is made carefully and diligently. Yet, when someone bumps the table, the cards go down - kaput! Why? Because they did not have a firm foundation. Thus, all of our effort was for naught in placing the cards because we failed to secure a firm foundation. When trials come (the bump) we will struggle as long as we have our foundation built on anything other than Christ. We cannot find fulfillment without being rooted and grounded in Christ.
I am reminded of a hymn "The Solid Rock" whose verses read this way:
My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
So, whether it's a career, a relationship, a material possession or whatever, if it is built on our own efforts and not inclusive of Christ - look for the bump of the card table - it's on sinking sand.
Jesus teaches about those who build houses on rock and sand - read His teaching in Matthew 7:21-29.
Our fulfillment in life comes from a real relationship with Christ - spending quality time with Him. Without that relationship we will always feel like something is missing. And, truthfully, it is. Only a true relationship with the living God can fill the void in our lives. Whenever we totally submit to His will and direction, we will receive the love and joy that He died to give us.
John 10:9-11 says: [9] I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. [10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly. [11] I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Consider today tearing down anything that does not find its existance in Christ. Bulldoze it with the Word of God. Level it to the ground so that nothing of it remains. Clear the ground - destroying the remnants of anything that takes you away from Christ and then pour a new foundation - build on Christ - the Solid Rock. In doing so, we find joy, peace and tranquility despite any other situations.
Ponder This: What keeps me from putting Christ first? Why do I let it? Did it die for me so that I could live and have rights to everlasting life? Then again, ask yourself "what keeps me from putting Christ first?"
Be Blessed!
