1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

This passage by Paul immediately brings to mind Jesus’ famous parable of whose who build on rock and those who build on sand. (Matthew 7:24-27) Foundations are important! That’s why early childhood education, particularly by the parents, is so important. If a child is not given a firm foundation of faith and morality, the rest of their life is likely to be shaky at best. God does work miracles, and there are exceptions, people who somehow absorb God’s principles later in life, but repairing foundations is far harder than laying them right in the first place! When the current Nagasaki Medical Center building was being built, it seemed like they never would stop digging, working on the foundation. It took months! However, the finished product has been standing firm for many years now, looking like a beautiful hotel up on the hill. God sometimes has to do that sort of work in us, because we likely have some pretty swampy and/or sandy areas in our heart. No parent is perfect, and there is always personal responsibility. Sadly, some churches put out teaching that is analogous to Styrofoam, or even jelly. Such a “foundation” will never stand up, however good it might look for a moment or two. We need to be careful that we are firmly grounded on Christ Jesus our Lord, and then, as Paul says, be careful how we build our lives on that foundation.

I had the huge blessing of being raised by parents who did all they could to lay a solid foundation in my life. Not all that I have built on that has been good, but God has been faithful to tear out sloppy workmanship as called for. At this point in my life I feel like I could handle a tsunami, if necessary – not that I want to, you understand! That is all well and good as far as I am concerned, but I am called to minister to others, to help them get their foundation firmly in Christ. That is a joy, but at the same time it is sometimes a major headache! I need to remember that, as I have said, there is always personal responsibility. I am to be faithful to say and do what the Lord directs; what people do with that is between them and God. I have not been a perfect model, but I think I can say with Paul, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) My task, as Paul wrote Timothy, is to “entrust [God’s truth] to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2) I am blessed that several ministers have already gone out from this church, and we are raising up more. God is faithful, and He will build His Church. (Matthew 16:18)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the foundation You have laid in me, first by my parents and then in various other ways as well. May I lay only Your foundation in those under my ministry, so that they may stand firm against everything the devil and this world throw at them, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!