Two Houses in The Storm
The Two Houses in the Storm
It also has national implications, such as a nation should build it Laws and values around G-d's Laws and values, not Church traditions, Enlightenment thinking, Roman Government, and Greek Philosophy.
Finally, it has personal applications.
When we look at two houses side by side, we cannot tell often which is built on sand and which is built on rock, at least not at a glance. Both houses would have to have support poles built deep into the sand. Under the surface however, we see the difference.
The foolish man hit rock and just quit digging. He pulled some sand in around the support pillars to make it look secure and went on his way. The wise man hit rock and KEPT DIGGING. He dug DEEP into the rock to see if it was a dependable granite, or just clay and sandstone. Then he dug even deeper to secure a solid foundation. Then he filled in the sand around his support pillars.
From the outside looking in, you can't tell the difference between two nations, two cities, or two houses, until the storms come.Both kinds can be impressive to man, but only one will be found worthy of preservation by G-d, and will endure the storm.
Having seen the after-affects of Katrina first hand, and growing up in Tornado Alley, I can tell you this is true in more ways than one.
From the outside looking in, we may think a family (household) is secure. They have a mansion with 3 car garage and a pool.
They make plenty of money, have the right jobs, drive the right cars, and play golf with the right people, their kids go to the right school, and they wear the right clothes and go to the "right" church. But underneath all the appearance is a foundation built on competition, greed, coveting (tracking the Joneses), and mistrust (children fighting over the inheritance, a trophy wife fearing losing her beauty, a husband fearing his 401K falling apart). The father taught Bible Studies, the mom worked with the women's ministry, the kids made good grades at Christian School.
This family had a religion and a tradition around Christ, but never learned to depend on Him.
Then across town we have another house.
A shack made of recycled lumber and concrete with a tiny overgrown lawn.
A Dad working 2 jobs who only has a G.E.D., a mom worn out from raising 3 kids with a husband forced to be gone all day, trying to scrounge some nutritious meals from a Mac N Cheese and Sweet Tea budget, and 3 children wearing Salvation Army clothes with the oldest helping pay the rent by working at Wal-mart after school.
But this family has love for one another, a father willing to sacrifice, a mother that prays since she is already on her knees in desperation for ends to meet, and children who have learned that they must work together for a family to survive. This family didn't always sit in the front pew or Sundays, and didn't always make it to Church. The Dad wasn't asked to teach Bible Studies or host a home group. But they did KNOW the true Rock, in the way that those who have experienced a desperate dependence on Him only know.
Then the storm comes, both buildings are blown away.
The rich man's house falls apart. He has to cash in his stocks and bonds, his trophy wife cant afford her make-up, and the kids go buck wild because Daddy's Will isn't keeping them in line anymore.
Then we have the other family, use to hardship, built on a rock. They pull together instead of getting pulled apart. They have faced the storm and came out walking on water.
We can't tell whose house is on the rock and whose is on the sand. Until the storm comes.
Therefore let us not depend on the wealth of others, or on those who depend on thier wealth. Look for evidence of a solid rock in a spouse and a friend.
Having seen the after-affects of Katrina first hand, and growing up in Tornado Alley, I can tell you this is true in more ways than one.
Renaissance : by Mat Kearney
Listen here:
http://www.youtube.com/
This is my renaissance
this is my one response
this is the way i say i love you
this is my second chance
this is my one romance
this is the cutting line
on which i stand to show you
it happened fast in a flash just this evening
i hit the gas, horn blast, brakes screaming
car crash, broken glass, broke my dreaming
i hit the dash so fast my ears are ringing
my sister’s on the right side just slightly leaning
i grabbed her hand hard until she started breathing
my brothers in the back jaw cracked from the beating
the breath in my chest has slipped and i’m sinking
blinking through diamond spider webs of cracked glass
i’m trying to remember all the words you said in the past
through the ash, siren screams and red beams
i hear you sing softly to me
i can be the wall when you fall down
find me on the rocks when you break down
i heard it in the song when you call out
but i got to say now it’s got to change
this is my broken heart
this is my bleeding start
this is the way i’ve come to know you
this is my winding road
this is my way back home
this is the narrow door you know that i will walk through
i got a letter today of why she went away
she said, ‘it’s better this way, you knew i never could stay’
half empty closets and frames, all that’s left to my name
as she left in the rain and left my heart on a chain
three years i’ve built this two-face tower for hours on a lease
you gave me one yellow flower that said rest in peace
in pieces i’ve broken open to think too much or just enough
alone to trust midst the rubble and the dust
humbled, it took this much to break down and understand
spent my life this far on castles made of sand
tossed in the breakers in the palm of your hand
now i can finally stand
Comments
Post a Comment