Rock On

       This week my sister and her husband celebrated their 3^rd anniversary.  I was reminiscing about the incredible day that was her wedding.  Besides a kicking party, they had a beautiful Catholic ceremony.  One thing that I absolutely loved about my sister’s wedding was the readings that she chose.  The reading that really stuck out to me was the parable of the wise and foolish builders.  I thought that it was such a beautiful choice for a marriage ceremony.

picture via Daily Jesus

       I revisited the reading and I was struck with a beautiful truth that for some reason I didn't focus on before.  In the parable Jesus speaks of a wise man who builds his house on a rock and a foolish man who builds his house on the sand; a storm comes and the house on the rock stands while the house on the sand falls apart.  When I usually read this I hear, “If your life is built on Jesus you will stand strong. If not, you will be destroyed.”  The part I never think about is the storm.

       I know, the storm seems like the main part of the story.  You may think I am ignorant for not seriously considering this part before.  However, I think that if it escaped me than it may have escaped others.  Even the man who builds his house on the rock had to experience the storm.  So often people ask themselves, "what is the point of being a good Christian if God is going to allow bad things to happen?"  Here’s the deal, God never promised us an easy life.  Quite the opposite actually, God promises us a difficult journey.  What he guarantees to us is that if we use God as the foundation for our life than we can weather the storm. 

       Some people may feel gypped, like they deserve more if they are following Christ.  The truth is that we don’t deserve anything and if we truly follow Christ we are expected to follow him right up to the cross. The beauty is that if we do follow Christ, and follow him up to the cross, we are given the blessing of following him to the resurrection. 

       What kind of storms have you experienced? Have you found that your faith helps you weather it more successfully?  What is your take on this parable?  Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Drop me a line in the comments below!