What is the foundation of your life?
“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.” - Matthew 7:24-25
On November 25,
1895, a cornerstone of ice was laid in Leadville, Colorado—the beginning of the
largest ice palace ever built in America. In an effort to bolster the town’s
sagging economy, the citizens staged a winter carnival. On New Year’s Day of
1896, the town turned out for the grand opening.
The immense palace
measured 450 x 320 feet. The towers that flanked the entrance were 90 feet
high. Inside was a 16,000-square-foot skating rink. But by the end of March,
the palace was melting away, along with the hopes of Leadville. You see, the
tens of thousands of visitors who were anticipated to come did not, and those
who did come spent very little, leaving the town’s economy in shambles.
Many Christians
today also build their own “ice palaces” that eventually melt away. Perhaps
they’ve trusted in money for their security. Maybe they’ve become codependent
with another person to the point where they trust in them for everything. Or,
it’s possible they’ve allowed their possessions—their home, their car, or their
“toys”—to become their idols.
Each of these
things will melt away when summer comes. Money won’t last forever; people will
let you down; and your possessions won’t follow you to heaven! So instead of
building castles of ice, build your life on the rock of Jesus Christ so that
when summer comes, you’ll be standing strong!