Have

you ever seen pictures of a house fallen into the sea after a storm

washed away its foundation? I can’t imagine what it would be like

to watch the house I call home ruined by a storm. It must be

devastating and make you feel so helpless.

Jesus

gives some building advice in the parable we have read today. But he

is talking about more than building houses. He is talking about

building our lives and making sure their foundation is firm, made up

of wisdom and faith in him.

This

foundation requires two things. It first involves listening to Jesus’

words. Listening is ­really important and can be hard to do. I

work with students a lot, and getting them to listen to instructions

isn’t always easy. Listening often means putting aside our own

ideas or agendas and paying ­attention for a while.

But

listening is only the first step in the foundation of our faith

lives. The next step is doing what he asks of us. If we only listen

and don’t do what is asked, we haven’t really accomplished

anything. Our faith can be filled with knowledge and belief, but if

it isn’t tied to action, it rings hollow. Doing is really

important!

Is

the house of your life built on the foundation of faith that involves

both listening to what Jesus is saying and doing what he asks? That

is the way of life Jesus is calling us to.