We’ve looked at some characteristics that were evident from Paul’s life about how a Christian’s house of faith should be constructed. Obviously, it is very important to have a strong foundation to withstand the winds and storms. Our little house must be built on the Word of God.

Secondly, we learned that our walk through life should be on God’s straight road. In addition, our life purpose should be to do all we do to the glory of God.

Further important building blocks are the bricks of faith, patience and love. Looking back at my life, I must say this doesn’t happen automatically. Nowadays when you buy a vehicle, you can order it with all the bells and whistles you like. You get a form listing all the extras and then you tick the boxes of what you want with your vehicle: colour, engine size, electric windows, tinted windows, leather seats, etc.

But when I look at my own life, it seems these characteristics of a Christian are not included. There are no boxes where we can tick … teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, troubles, sufferings ….

It’s as if these are lacking and we need to make them part of our little house as we go through life. Unfortunately, there is no box that we can tick and that characteristic is automatically included. No, we have to work, work hard to make it part of our lives. We’ll learn how to do it. We’re going to try it. Maybe succeed once or twice, just to forget to do it down the line.

Fortunately, we can relax about the mistakes we make, because nobody’s perfect. We’re going to get up, walk and stumble. But the more we get up again, the longer we remain upright. We must just keep trying. And that’s the last characteristic: Perseverance.

Walk … stumble … get up again. We shouldn’t become disheartened. We are not perfect beings. It’s often very difficult for people to allow themselves to make mistakes. However, we must realise that in the Garden of Eden we all became part of the fall. But that shouldn’t be an excuse to not get up again.

We must persevere, keep going and try again. It’s part of our character as Christians. We do not allow the curve balls of life to get us down. Yes, we may fall down and end up on our stomach or back, but staying down? Never!

To be a child of God means that we must work on our little houses of faith all the time. We must go back to the drawing board often to see what works and what doesn’t work. We must try new things and see what we should get rid of when things don’t work.

The process is not always easy, because most of the time it takes a lot of energy. We’d rather let go and stumble along, but that won’t work. The next strong wind may destroy our little house.

We must keep dreaming of fitting into God’s picture of our lives more and more. Every day we must put more energy into reshaping our houses so that they will be able to withstand the strong winds. We must pray that God’s Spirit will take us by the hand and guide us in the right direction.

May God one day say about us: Well done, faithful follower! You persevered and kept going!

Scripture
2 Tim 3:10-13

Reflection
What are you struggling with in your faith?
Where do you lose the plot?
Do you ask the Holy Spirit to help you?

Prayer
Lord, I really want to try hard to live my faith and remain faithful to You. Please help me where I struggle – I don’t want to disappoint You. Amen.