The Movers and Shakers in This World

Many years ago I read a book from my grandmother’s library on the great earthquake that devastated San Francisco in 1906. I was not only horror-stricken but fascinated at the same time. As typical of most people, I looked to discover how people could survive such an experience.

The buildings that remained standing after the earthquake had been built upon a foundation of rock. The ones that collapsed had been built upon sand. Additionally, those built upon rock had to further withstand the fires that erupted soon after.

I am reminded of the biblical scripture that describes to us the importance of building a foundation upon solid rock. The security and soundness of constructing any structure or even our character using this directive is made clear. Our own experiences reinforce this edict.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it (Matthew 7:24-27).”

All character is constructed with qualities that will define a person’s actions given whatever may come their way. Clearly the benefits of good qualities far outweigh those of poor ones. We must take care to choose those that are based upon soundness and integrity.

The strength of character determines the ease with which we are able to maintain our convictions and not sway to the destructive forces encountered. Both substandard foundations and building materials threaten our very survival. They leave us vulnerable to collapse, to complete destruction.

It only makes sense to research and to incorporate those characteristics that ensure not just our survival, but that of all mankind. We cannot be complacent or lazy when it comes to building the foundation of our character. The structure must be equally sound.

Surviving the fires that always come will ultimately depend on the development of our character.

…their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work (1 Corinthians 3:13).

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