[Jesus speaking]
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Roots matter. What am I rooted to in life?

I fall sometimes and fail in my pursuit of perfection in Jesus. When I think about the circumstances that lead me to be susceptible to the temptation, I frequently find “root maintenance” to be the issue.

Trees have strong root systems, but they can rot. This is why I like the picture here of being rooted to a rock. People do not place a rock foundation under a house, typically. It is a God placement. And God has placed Jesus in my life as a rock. He also places believers in my life as little rocks. He called Peter a little rock.

So I can choose where my foundation in life is placed. Will I have a foundation based on this world and its temporary pleasures and fleeting positions? Or will I have one that is based on the Word of God — Jesus?

It is hard work building a foundation on a rock. But it is worth it in the long run, as the winds and rain will not prevail over it. It stands! It is fortified by the rock foundation. It is solid.

Do my roots need to be more locked into the rock of Jesus today? Yes they do! I must keep striving for deeper ground spiritually to stay connected and committed to God and his good works.

Lord, thank you for loving me. I don’t always deserve it. But you value me anyway. And you heal me and help me to build my life on your solid rock foundation. “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.”