The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. – Matthew 7:27

Today’s Scripture Reading (September 23, 2017): Matthew 7

As this summer’s hurricanes have revealed, there are both advantages and disadvantages to building your house on the beach. My last visit to the Gulf of Mexico was to the beaches of Galveston. When I was there, the sun was shining, and the beach and the water were very inviting. It was great to just lay on the beach, or walk around the town, and let the hot Texas sun melt away all of our anxiety. When the sun shines, the Gulf is a beautiful place to go and play.

But when the hurricane winds blow, and the sea swell overtakes the beach, you don’t want to be anywhere near the Gulf of Mexico. That was the scene that rolled across our television screens over the past few weeks. Evacuations were recommended across the Southern States as people left behind the things that they had acquired in life in the hope that they could save their lives. After all, things could be replaced and rebuilt, but their lives could not be repaired or replaced.

My wife and I were watching one of those beachfront renovations show recently (more like she was watching while I sat in the room with her) and on one of the shows, we watched as a couple searched for a vacation home within sight of the Gulf of Mexico a little West of Galveston. As I watched the couple make their new purchase, the only question that was on my mind was whether or not, after the active weather in the Gulf this summer, their new purchase was even still standing. After seeing the devastation of the area on the news, I am not sure that I hold out much hope that their vacation home is still there.

Jesus cautions his followers as he ends his “Sermon on the Mount” to be careful with where they decide to build their lives. Building on the beach is great on bright and sunny days. There is nothing better than rolling out of bed and going for a walk on the sand while the sun reflects off of the still water. But life isn’t filled with bright and sunny days. Sometimes the wind blows, and the water is disrupted by an out of control surf. And it is one thing to build your house on the beach. At least a house can be rebuilt.

But when we build our lives on the beach, then we are risking everything. Because eventually, “The rains come down and the floods come up, and the house on the sand …,” well, you already know what happened to it.      

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Luke 11