We all thi
nk of different things when the word foundation is mentioned. Women may think about make-up, parents and teachers about the foundation phase of school for the little ones and others about the foundation of a building. Whatever the case may be, we all know that the better the foundation, the better the outcome of what we build on it.
But how often do we consider that our lives are also built on a foundation; which is not the pedestal we would like people to put us on. I believe that the foundation for our lives is found in our character. You can build a strong life on good character, but bad character leads to destruction. It’s like a weak foundation for a building.
A multi-storied building needs a stronger foundation the higher you want to build. The same with our lives. We need a stronger foundation to build a significant life. As with building a house a good character is not built in a day. It is built into one’s life over years since childhood. Prov 22:6 teaches us to “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Similarly a business or organization is built on such a foundation. We talk about the values and the culture of a business. A culture where dishonesty is tolerated will ultimately lead to an organization’s downfall. Building a strong life or business takes determined action. It will not just happen. With a start-up business it is necessary to implement the right values and culture from day one.
Norman Schwarzkopf emphasized the importance of good character for leaders when he said “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.”
But the ultimate foundation to build our lives and whatever we do on, is the Rock Jesus Christ. “For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 3:11) In Eph 2:20 Jesus is called the chief cornerstone. All good character originates in Him. Jesus said: “Whoever hears these sayings of Mine; and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Mat 7:24)
Let us build our lives and what we do on this Foundation, because only what is built on Him will stand the test time. (1Cor 3:12 – 15)
