Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

--Parallel verses:
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭8‬
For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

Every good building has at its base a good foundation or a solid cornerstone. Every good family has core Godly principles that they live by or are defined by — foundational values. In our family some of these are: Be honest, work hard and complete your work, and think of others first and serve them.

When we decide to build our faith and set out on our spiritual journey, we must also consider what we will lay as the foundational elements to build from.

Some use a smorgasbord approach: a little of this faith and a little of that faith — pick and choose your religion. Others try to ignore the tugging of their heart and the building of faith altogether. And then there are some who are sold-out followers of their faith. All of these paths can seem good, exciting, and pleasurable or fulfilling at times. But they all break down and are found wanting over time, unless we are sold-out in a relationship with our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

Why? Because by ourselves we are sinful, selfish, and unable to act in a manner that is good and right. “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.’” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭12)

We must root ourselves in him, or the winds and waves of trouble and persecution will uproot us and we will be found out to be of a shallow faith.

And we must humbly refocus our mind on our rock and cornerstone and away from our fears and insecurities.

Lord Jesus, I want you to be not only the cornerstone of my thoughts of faith, but also of my actions in response to my faith in you each day. I repent of the times I speak without thinking about what you would want me to say or not to say. Please forgive me. I yield to your work in my heart. Have your way, Lord, have your way!