What will you put into practice?
How long does it take to become a runner? It’s about this time of year, with the lighter mornings and the more favourable temperatures, that I convince myself that I am a runner. I set my alarm for 5:20am and line my kit up by the door, in the hope that when the alarm sounds, I will jump up, get ready and go. If I run once, am I a runner? When does an action become a part of your personality?
Whenever it says therefore in the Bible, I was always taught to ask what it is there for. In this passage of scripture, Jesus is speaking to the crowds about putting into action the words they confessed. Many would say they were doing God’s will, but their actions didn’t follow up what they said. It is a strong challenge, as well as a firm encouragement – that action based on wisdom will stand, even when life’s challenges arise.
“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.”
This week, let us consider what it is we would like to become, and take action towards that goal. If it is to be a morning runner - line up your kit, set your alarm and get out of the house, before your mind tells you to hit snooze!
