Built Tough

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” — Matthew 7:24

Henry Ford released the first Ford pickup in the summer of 1917. The truck was designed for hard work and to withstand the toughest demands. In the century since then, Ford trucks have gone on to earn a reputation of toughness that has stood the test of time. They are Built Ford Tough. The world has changed a lot since that first Ford truck. We’ve seen a great depression, two world wars, and even men on the moon. And in all of this, Ford trucks have been getting the job done.

Like these tough trucks, Jesus calls us to be strong and steady in order to withstand life’s storms. We are called to dig down deep and lay a foundation on bedrock; a foundation that lasts. The thing about building a deep foundation, is that it takes time. And while times are good, you won’t even see the benefits of this extra labor. It will seem as if you did a bunch of unnecessary work. To the casual observer, your results will be the same as someone without a foundation, except that you took longer to achieve those results. However, it’s when the storm comes — and times get tough — that the value of a good foundation is proven. Only then will you be able to reap the benefits of that extra work. In Jesus’ parable of the builders, both men built homes. The difference is that one of them got to enjoy his home sooner, but the other one was able to enjoy his home longer.

If you want results that last and the toughness to withstand life’s storms, then you have to be willing to dig deeper. You have to dig past the superficial, and all the way to the spiritual. Jesus says that He is the bedrock at the core of our soul. He also says that if we want to build on Him, then we have to hear his words and put them into practice. Which means spending time studying and applying scripture daily. Building a foundation this deep means that you will have to be patient, disciplined, and persistent. You’ll have to skip the shortcuts and put in the hard work. But through this process, you will be and you will become unbroken. When the storms of life come, you will stand strong on Christ’s foundation.

“I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great.” — Luke 6:47–49

What habit can you start today in order to get into God’s word on a daily basis?