Cracks In The Wall

Sometimes when the foundation in a building shifts it causes cracks in the walls. The cracks are an indication of a bigger problem. Sometimes when the foundation shifts in a person's life cracks can show up in the walls of the heart and mind.

I talked with a guy once who worked on foundations once. He told me most foundation problems stem from water drainage issues. I know many lives who have drainage issues from tumultuous storms. The storms are as varied as the individuals going through them. The end result is the same. Cracks in the wall. When the foundation is compromised and there is no solid ground to build life upon it doesn't take long to watch the walls crack and eventually begin to crumble. What is true in buildings is true in individuals.

I have watched people crumble in life's storms. They can't handle the wind and drainage. They crumble and usually end of in a hopeless heap. On the other hand, I have seen many weather the most severe storms and stand firm. They may shed a tear. They may lose heart momentarily. They are tough. Like a giant tree whose roots have grown deep in the soil to get a good grip to withstand the howling winds are people who trust God. Those who do not trust God suffer severely.

This manifests itself in deep seated depression. It shows up in broken hearts. Nights and days of weeping. Despair. Hopelessness. Stress. Insomnia. In worst cases persons may even try to dull the pain and hide the cracks with substance abuse. Such people will seek relief anywhere but when the foundation is wrong the cracks still show.

There may be hairline cracks in the beginning barely noticeable. In time such cracks can widen and lengthen. They cause much deeper issues if not addressed. Such issues cannot be hidden indefinitely. Sooner or later the cracks show and the walls crumble when the foundation is wrong.

When I think of the flimsy foundations people build their lives on it is predictable that the cracks in the walls will show up. People build their lives on the pursuit of pleasure, making money, accumulating more stuff, infatuation, lust, and personal appearance. Each of these is both flimsy and fleeting.

There is only one sure foundation. One solid rock worth building life upon. It is Jehovah and His word. This is antiquated to some. In these sophisticated and secular times this foundation has been rejected. Look around you. Look at the cracks in the walls of people's lives as a result. When the storms hit, and they do hit, such people are not able to withstand the winds. Damage is done. Cracks appear. Now look at the people who have built their lives on the foundation of God and His word. Are they withstanding life's storms better?

Read and heed the warning.

Matthew 7:23-27 (NKJV)
23  And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
24  "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
25  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26  But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
27  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

This Is The Way

For many years Brenda and I shared the same routine. Anytime we traveled and did not know the directions where we were going we would argue. She has no sense of direction and I am too prideful to stop and ask for directions. She told me in college she had never gone home the same way twice when I asked how to get to her house. I had never been around Fort Worth and had no idea where to go. On one trip into Lubbock she settled the argument for all time with these words, "I could not read a map when you met me and I still can't. You know this. Deal with it." I did.

Not long after that we were introduced to someone who helped us settle our problem once and for all. She was extremely knowledgable and patient. Her voice often calmed stress filled trips. Her name... Garmen. Garmen saved my marriage we like to say. Now we have traded Garmen for GPS on our phones.

I love it. It takes most of the guess work out. Turn here. Turn there. Your destination is on the right or left. It makes traveling for the Edwards much more peaceful.

What if we had a Garmen or GPS for life? A voice guiding us on which paths to take and where to turn to get to our intended destination. We do. Read it for yourself.

Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV)
21  Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.

Training to hear the voice of God takes some practice. It also requires some effort. Effort to read the Bible and meditate. To pray and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's promptings. Learning to be tuned into circumstances. God speaks in several ways and we should become familiar with all of them.

Like I have written and preached incessantly, God speaks through His word and that is the first place to start. Cultivate reading God's word to hear His voice. Make it a lifelong habit. Devote yourself to it assiduously. I recommend reading through the Bible or making significant progress reading through it once a year.

It never fails when I devote myself to this God speaks to me. Maybe not every time but He does speak to me at least weekly. Most days I come away with some nugget of truth. When I need God's guidance on important matters I get an answer in due time if I keep reading to hear His voice. He tells where to go and what to do. He is better than GPS. He always knows the way. He knows every twist, turn, detour and mapped path available. He never fails to offer direction to those who seek Him long enough and consistently enough. Listen today for His voice saying, "This is the way walk in it."