When I first saw this picture, I audibly gasped.
Then I wondered whether it was a product of Photoshop, altered by a computer and faked.
But no, it is a real picture--an aerial shot of the one and only house left standing in the seaside community of Gilchrist, Texas, after Hurricane Ike devastated the area in 2008.
Warren and Pam Adams were the blessed owners of this house--the one and only house that weathered the hurricane that leveled over 200 other homes surrounding them.
This picture immediately challenged me in a fresh way.
It made me think of Jesus' illustration of the two houses in his Sermon on the Mount, one built upon sand and the other built upon rock:
"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
It made me wonder what kind of foundation I am building my house of faith upon. Is it upon the steadfast Rock? Or will my faith waiver in times of trial and tragedy, like the house built upon sinking sand?
It made me think about my children. Are they building their lives upon the Rock of God? Are they pitching their tent and remaining unmoved, abiding firmly in Him?
This picture also makes me think of you, dear friend. Are you planting your feet upon the Solid Rock? Are you putting into practice the words of Jesus Christ and standing firm in Him?
Let us never forget that we don't endeavor to stand firm in God in our own power; instead we rest and remain connected to the true vine (see John 15), God Himself.
Resting. Remaining. Standing. Abiding.
May we stand strong and abide in Him until He returns again! And may you be blessed as you stand firm in Him this week, dear one!
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