After an initial freakout as to how high our foundation will actually be in the back of the house (we thought the front of our property was a lot more level than it really is), the husband and I concluded we will have an awesome view from the patio.

Standing at the back corner, where my study will be.

View from the back patio

It’s the first of what I know will be many “Yikes, this is different than we expected, now what?”

It’s interesting to watch what goes into building the foundation of a house  We watched loads of gravel and dirt being delivered to fill in the forms defining the perimeter of the house. Workers are now filling bags with dirt and stacking them up to make the foundation level from front to back. Then the plumber and electrician will lay their pipes. After that, rebar will be set to ensure a strong, solid foundation.  Then concrete will be poured.

I can’t help myself. I love seeing spiritual applications in life.

When we selected this particular piece of property, one of the things we considered was the cost of building the house. Some of the lots in our neighborhood have really steep drop offs or challenging terrain that would require higher costs to build than we could afford. Jesus tells his disciples ““But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?  Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you.” Luke 14:28-29, NLT 

When I begin every endeavor, do I consider the cost involved (often not just a financial cost)? Do I think it through to the end and whether I have the means and ability to see it to completion? Do I ask my heavenly Father whether or not it is what He has for me to do (for He will provide, where I am lacking).

We are also pleased to build on ground with both a layer of dirt and and solid rock.  We had engineered plans drawn up to ensure the foundation was reinforced where it needed to be.  Jesus tells us a wise man builds his house upon a rock. He compares it to living a life following his teaching. “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” Matthew 7:24-25,NLT

Have I made Christ the foundation for my life (1 Corinthians 3:11)?  Not just my initial commitment, but do I every day let Christ provide my security, my reinforcement? Do I allow God’s word to instruct me, guide me, correct me?  Am I searching it each day, meditating on His truths?

My husband and I spend a lot of time researching and planning our house and visiting the construction site to see how thing are progressing. This convicts me to assess my heart and ask myself, am I spending as much time and energy investing in my spiritual foundation and my relationship with the Lord.