Tiny hummingbirds build their homes the way God leads them. (I am constantly amazed at how different birds know just what to do!)  While a thin branch on a tree is firm enough for these small, beautiful creatures; our homes need a much firmer foundation. We have all seen the resulting loss of beach homes when hurricanes arrive.  We have also seen the destruction of homes built on cliffs when mudslides occur. Homes built well inland and on firm ground are much more likely to remain in place for years and years.  But even those homes are at risk from fire, hail, and tornadoes.  

Despite the possibility of a beach house washing away, a home on a cliff sliding away, or a home in the middle of the concrete jungle burning to the ground; one thing that can guide the inhabitants of those homes through such situations is the firm foundation of Jesus in their hearts. Without Jesus as my rock and firm foundation, several, if not all of the devastating situations I have faced would have caused me to crumple.  Much like that delicate spider web in my last blog post. As my blog posts have stated many times, Jesus guided me and my family through every situation we faced.  We just didn’t always know it right away.

Jesus himself shares a parable describing the need for a home to be built on a firm foundation.  Not necessarily physically built, but spiritually.  Here is the story from the Gospel of Luke.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”  

Luke 6: 46-49 

No matter the location of your home, the most important location is the one Jesus desires to reside in – your heart and life!  Insurance may help rebuild a lost home.  Emergency planning may keep you safely away from harm when storms arise.  But, a life without Jesus as my Lord, Savior, and leader through life would be truly empty.  I live each day with the full knowledge that he is with me to help me in every moment I face. I look to him for those needed instructions on how to live for HIM. His instructions come through prayer, reading HIS word and time spent with fellow believers.  I am thankful for the many times HE sent someone to show a little kindness when I was only hanging by a thread.