Are You Walking on Shifting Sands? - The Crosswalk Devotional - March 17
Are You Walking on Shifting Sands?
By Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” – Matthew 7:24-27, NIV
Every step I took across the dunes at White Sands National Park was difficult. The shifting sands often collapsed around my hiking boots when I stepped forward, forcing me to try to readjust my balance. Each step was difficult even when the sand stayed mostly in place under my feet, because the sand was uneven and required more energy to walk on than solid ground, which provides less resistance. My progress moving forward was slow. While I enjoyed the novelty of the experience, I was relieved to be walking on solid rock again after I reached the parking lot at the end of the hike.
In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus contrasts a man who built his house on a rock with a one who built his house on sand. Only the person who built on the solid foundation of rock was able to overcome the challenges that came his way. Jesus compares these two experiences – building on rock versus sand – to describe the spiritual foundation of your life. He challenges you to consider whether you’re building your life on the firm foundation of God, a reliable Rock of unlimited strength, or if you’re trying to go through life on the unstable sands of your own limited strength.
When you walk on sand spiritually, you rely on things that are unstable and unreliable. Maybe you place your security in a job, a relationship, your health, or your bank account. While these things might seem solid temporarily, they’re ultimately like shifting sands. They can collapse without warning. The world is full of unstable ground. Circumstances change, people disappoint you, and even your own plans can fail despite your best efforts. It can be stressful and exhausting. When storms inevitably come your way, the foundation you thought was secure might collapse, leaving you scrambling to recover. Are there areas in your life where you feel stuck, unsure, or overwhelmed? Are you walking on shifting sands in those areas because you haven’t fully trusted God?
Now contrast that with walking on solid rock. When you build your life on a solid relationship with God, you have a foundation that doesn’t shift with circumstances or collapse under pressure. God is unchanging and completely reliable. Walking on solid rock means trusting God with every part of your life. It’s hearing God’s Word and putting it into practice, as Jesus said. It’s choosing to depend on God’s wisdom instead of your own to make important decisions. This kind of trust is freeing. Instead of struggling to deal with challenges on your own, you can stand firm, knowing that God is with you. God’s strength supports you when you feel weak, God’s guidance leads you when you feel lost, and God’s love surrounds you, even during difficult times.
Jesus makes it clear that the choice is yours. You can be like the wise builder who built his house on the rock, or like the foolish builder who built his house on sand. Both builders faced storms in this fallen world. What they experienced depended on the foundation they had chosen. Where will you place your trust?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider where you’re placing your trust as you walk through each day, reflect on these questions:
- Where in your life do you feel like you’re walking on shifting sands? Think about areas where you feel unsteady, exhausted, or uncertain. Are you placing your security in things like success, relationships, money, or the approval of other people?
- What does it mean for you to build your life on the solid rock of your relationship with God? Are there specific commands or promises from God’s Word that you need to put into practice in your life? What steps can you take to start trusting God more in every part of your life?
Further Reading:
Psalm 18:2
Psalm 62:6
Isaiah 26:4
1 Corinthians 3:11
Proverbs 3:5-6
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/FilmColoratStudio
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