24 "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. 25 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. 26 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. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Mt 7

In the context of the land of Israel, the image here relates to the choice of building a house at the bottom of hill where the soil is soft but where the water flows when the heavy rains come, or out of the way of the flood where the ground is hard - but the house will be safe. Once you actually stop and think about this, it's a no-brainer; of course you will make the extra effort to ensure that the house you put so much effort into building will stay up.

But yet too often we still tend to choose the easy way - being a Christian is hard work heavily based on delayed gratification, a choice which is deeply unfashionable in our modern world. However this parable reminds us that in reality choosing God's way is a no-brainer - the alternative is the ultimate destruction of all that we are seeking to achieve.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for this reminder that your way is the only way that actually makes sense. Help us to live our lives according to what we have heard from you, and not choosing the easy way that leads nowhere. Grant that we may therefore serve you and all those around us better to your praise and glory. Amen