Foundational Truths

I take great pride in letting people know I’m from New York City. In my opinion, it was the best place in the world to grow up. In NYC, there exists such a variety of cultures that make living there very exciting. I was raised in the borough of Brooklyn, NY yet love to share little known facts about New York City in general. Why? Because I love my city! Recently, while in attendance at a seminar that highlighted much of Manhattan’s rich history, the moderator raised an obscure fact. He informed the audience that the Empire State Building took seven years to erect but the construction crew dedicated five years to the foundation alone. In hearing this truth, I thought of my own relationship with God. Most of the work to restore my soul to the place God wanted me to be took place underground. My re-structuring happened late in the evenings while in the solitude of prayer. I gained spiritual footing by overcoming the obstacles of betrayal, persecution, ridicule, rejection and loneliness for the sake of Christ. I learned to love those that deliberately hurt me and permitted the Lord to strengthen my heart so that I wouldn’t become bitter, only better.

Just as a building needs a firm foundation, we in essence ask the same of the Lord when we give our heart to Him. We’re asking God to search our foundation for imperfections that hinder us to stabilize the underpinnings in our heart. After we choose Christ, He demos the structure we created because it’s one without direction. In other words, it was not inspired or motivated by Godly directives. It was a poor attempt to encapsulate God’s vision through the lens of human comprehension. Our best laid plans are worthless in the eyes of Christ as they are spawned from human desire. The groundwork the Lord creates in our heart includes His attributes such as love, peace, joy, compassion, healing and forgiveness. If we forge ahead without these needful tools we’ll fail at any Kingdom endeavor.

II Corinthians 5:1 reminds us that if our earthly tabernacle (our bodies) were dissolved; we have a building that God alone created. Our souls have been fashioned by Him in the heavens, fearfully, wonderfully made! Solid foundations take time to mature and patience to build. The weighty portion of an edifice is in the foundation. It weight come in the tons and its purpose is to withstand any external element that challenges its stability. In choosing Christ, we become living carnal tabernacles. Our spiritual building is created to execute directives of the Lord. Our delegated role is to emulate God’s glory in the earth. Our foundation in Christ is weighty enough to confront any natural or spiritual opposition we face in a world devoid of His truth.

In order to find infinite victory in our walk with God, our success lies in having a true comprehension of God’s word, an active prayer life coupled with a lifestyle that reflects our faith. I Peter 2:5 teach we are a spiritual houses made of LIVELY stones. We have life transforming authority in Christ Jesus! Christ is our Lord, our King and the final authority in all aspects of our existence! In submitting to God with our open heart, we impact others with the revelatory power of cross. The foundational truth that emerges is one of submission and obedience which allows us to be healed, strengthened and prepared for the coming Kingdom.

Now here is the heart of the matter: we must have a pliable heart in order to allow God to construct a firm spiritual foundation within us. Every human tabernacle is designed to glorify God whether we choose Him or not. The beauty of any building is found not its exterior but in the strength of the foundation it rests on.

Who or what is your foundation? I pray it rests in Christ Jesus, a foundation that never fails…

Be encouraged and blessed child of the MOST HIGH GOD!