Application: Change

"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.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew 7 : 24 - 27 

Large Group tonight kinda hit home for me.  I think it is easy to be comfortable and not desire change.  But a passage like this tends to shine a mirror on the things in your life that should change.  Such as our foundations. It's easy to live life with an end goal in mind, but just slowly drift there without much purpose; feeling apathetic about Jesus and allowing other things to get in the way of striving after Him.  Does your life reflect God's love?  If I honestly answer this question, I don't know if I can say yes.  Yes, I do much for InterVarsity, but my quiet time is not often focused on where it should be.  I know I am not the only one in this situation, so where does the change come from?  

I think the change comes when we choose to be either a wise man or a foolish one.  We all get the chance to hear and learn what Jesus has for us, but only the wise put those words into action.  I don't think any of us willingly choose to be foolish, but have you read the Sermon on the Mount lately??  Those are some hard words to put into practice; actions I've really struggled to apply this year.  

Acting on these words is building our houses on rocks; on a foundation that will weather storms and never cease to exist.  So to be wise, to put Jesus' words into action, is to make a foundation on a rock.  Our foundation is our actions, and habits; our go-to response in different circumstances.  It's what we do without thinking.  It's hard to change.  

Our actions, our habits, as hard as they are to change, are a choice!  We get to choose our foundation daily, and when we are rooted in Jesus, our foundation is unwavering and our lives are strong and stable, and will weather the greatest of storms.  But this doesn't just happen. Change comes from within, and only happens when we desire that change.  

When you desire this change, you allow your life to be transformed. Tom mentioned that choosing to love people changed his life. Choosing to take leaps of faith changed mine.  So what does that change look like for you?  If you have stories of change, please share them.  But I also want you to use this post as accountability and as a reminder that you truly desire the sturdy foundation.  At large group, little rocks represented the choice you made.  So when you look at the rock and remember that choice, come back here and tell us of the struggle you are having, or the ways God has shown up through your choice.