Having lived for nearly 20 years in Europe, we have had the privilege of seeing so many stone structures that have remained in tact for hundreds of the years.
Our Search for Foundation Stones
When in seminary, we had the awesome opportunity of taking an educational tour to Greece. My Greek husband communicated his exuberance by stating, “We made it to the motherland!”
There we saw foundation stones that were laid thousands of years ago but yet, have stood the test of time. The unfortunate part of this story is that I found it extremely hard to imagine an entire structure looming on the horizon after just viewing two stones that were laid together. What?!
But let’s just put this down to my lack of imagination!
Overlooking the plains governed by Philip II of Macedon … sitting on a stone that was an integral part of history. I think?
Carcassonne, France
Here in southern France, there is a plethora of ancient structures you could visit to view stones that have stood the tests of time. But by far, the double walled city of Carcassonne remains one of the premier historical sites visited in all of France. With its foundation stones having been laid in 122BC by the Romans, this medieval city has historical stories etched into its walls.
If only those walls could talk, what stories they could tell!
God’s Foundational “Life” Stones
John and I enjoy viewing the massive stone buildings that are around us here in Europe. As I look at the architecture I think of the amount of labor and skill that went into these structures. Yet, my mind is drawn to my Heavenly Father who tells me that He is building His Church into a “holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:21
Are there Foundational “Life” Stones that God desires for me to lay in
my own heart that will provide me the stability to stand the tests ahead?
One day I was reading David’s confessional prayer in Psalm 51 in the New English Translation (NET). Psalm 51:17 stood out in a new and fresh way as I reflected on what David was praying to the Lord.
"The sacrifice God desires is a humble spirit - O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject." Psalm 51:17
The adjectives describing the type of heart that pleases the Lord seemed to jump out at me – Humble & Repentant.
I began to think of these two elements like foundational “life” stones that God was calling me to mortar into the soil of my heart.
Foundational Life Stones of a Humble & Repentant Heart
King David is a vivid example showing us some foundational “life” stones that God desires in each one of us. They stand the test of time and help to provide us stability in the waging winds of life.
David was taken from the smelly sheep pens on the semi-arid hills of Bethlehem. He was hand-picked by God to lead His chosen people through victory after victory. Yet, King David chose to sin.
After being confronted with his sin, he then communicates a prayer to His Merciful Father in heaven. This prayer stands as a pattern to mankind of a prayer that transcends all requests made by man.
His prayer was a prayer given by a man who:
- Saw the righteousness of His Heavenly Father,
- Compared this righteousness to the destitute condition of his own heart
- … and Pled to His merciful Father to forgive him.
- God did … in full measure.
Living in an Upside Down World
Don’t you ever feel, as a follower of Christ, that you are living in an Upside Down World?
In fact, there is so much truth in this statement.
Christ is calling us to shed the values and aspirations that often times the world dangles before our eyes. Instead, He is asking us to stay focused on His values and His truths concerning life.
God doesn’t desire from us qualities that man defines as success. In order to climb that proverbial ladder we need to lead with communicating our strengths to those around us. But is this what the Lord is looking for or even affirms?
Influence, Power, Self-preservation, Wealth. These are all qualities that we grow up striving for, attending seminars to learn, or listening to TED Talks and podcasts to somehow adequately achieve.
Yet, sit a moment with me to contemplate and reflect on what the scriptures say to us time & time again.
Place your faith in the One who made you and trust that He will lead and guide you through this life.
He is Good.
Turning the Snow Globe
Think for a moment of the image of a snow globe.
You turn it over one time and massive amounts of tiny flakes fall throughout the glass, causing the entire scene to change.
What if the way to build a life that has meaning begins with bowing our knees, rather than lifting our arms to reach another rung on the ladder?
What if we as followers of Christ began to cement into the soil of our hearts Firm Foundation Stones that actually stand the test of time?
If I choose to mortar in my life the foundation stones of a Humble & Repentant Heart then:
- I will be able to hear the Lord, be conscious of my sins, and easily bring them in repentance to my Father.
- With a heart clean & right before God, I will wholeheartedly, with joy, follow after His leading.
- I will be stimulated to live a life of putting others first, confessing my failings to others & aggressively pursuing to make things right with those around me, as much as it depends on me.
Placing in the Mortar
A humble and repentant heart.
Here are two qualities in our walk with the Lord that, I believe, are paramount to cement into our lives through prayer.
If we begin praying for God to grant us a humble and repentant heart it will allow us to remain at peace with our Heavenly Father who has given us so much. And then, as much as it depends on us, it allows us to pursue peace with one another here on earth.
All this brings into view the result:
Reconciliation with God and man, which then brings all the glory back to our Father.
Humble & Repentant hearts are foundation stones that we need to build our faith on.
Without them, our lives will be built on our own doing and strength. God has created humanity to be a Dependent People … but in our sinfulness, we spend our lives pushing for our independence from Him.
May we relax in His hands. Stop our striving. And pray that He would give to us these foundational qualities that will stand the test of time.
The Foundation Stones of a humble and repentant heart.
My Greek husband enjoying all the wonders of his heritage as he stood in front of a column at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi.
