by Bob Blahnik
Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a man who built his house on the rock. | Matthew 7:24
As a former construction engineer who often designed foundations for buildings, this verse has always been one of my favorites. If a building’s foundation isn’t strong, the building may crumble and fall when different kinds of loads are applied to it.
When engineers design foundations, they need to consider two types of loading: dead loads and live loads. Dead loads are the “static” loads that are constantly there, such as the weight of the building (concrete, steel, flooring, plumbing, HVAC equipment, light fixtures, etc.). Live loads are the “impact” loads that come and go over time (weight of the people entering the building, briefcases, winter coats, snow on the roof, wind blowing against the building, earthquakes, etc.). When the live loads become too much, cracks can begin to form in the foundation, settlement can occur, and the building can begin to tilt and eventually collapse.
Too often, the dear people who come to SonScape Retreats are emotionally, mentally, and spiritually worn down due to the constant dead loads that they face in full-time ministry. They are so busy and worn out by busy schedules and ministry demands that cracks have begun to form in their spiritual foundations. To survive, they have developed a spiritual walk that helps them deal with the normal dead loads. But when a live load hits them, they begin to crumble. Live loads like rejection, loss of a job, financial problems, health issues, marriage difficulties, parenting problems, difficulties with negative people, criticism, and others can impact their lives in negative ways. That’s when a SonScape retreat can help fill in the cracks and help rebuild a healthier foundation.
As retreat leaders, we help our guests take a deep look at their spiritual walk and discover new ways to strengthen it. Through listening with caring ears, speaking words of loving counsel, and embracing with loving arms, we see God heal those worn out by the dead and live loads of ministry and life. What a privilege it is for us to see how God blesses the dear servants of His church as they are reminded of the need to build their spiritual foundations on the solid rock of His Son, Jesus Christ.
So how is your foundation? Any cracks that need shoring up before crumbling begins?