I have never been handy with a hammer.  When I was growing up, I had many mishaps…my fences fell apart, my bike ramps crumbled, and two of my tree forts actually fell out of the tree—one while I was in it. 

Looking back on the second of my tree-fort disasters, I discovered why it went south (proverbially and literally).  I spent so much time decorating this fort and making it comfortable, that I forgot to make it stable.

As soon as I got the floor, walls, and roof in place, I started to concentrate on adorning it with shelves to hold my food, games, and knickknacks. I then cut out a window and found a scrap of carpet to make it homey…but, I forgot to secure the foundation.  I paid no attention to the squeaks that were telling me the floorboards were slowly dislodging from the tree.  So, after a couple of days of enjoying my fort, the floor gave way dropping me ten feet to the ground. 

Although I can laugh at my mishap, the correlation between the way I disregarded the foundation of my fort and the way that many ignore the foundation of their faith is not as funny.

Regarding faith, we have a tendency to concentrate on the external things instead of the internal.   Rather than focus on the vital aspects on which a healthy spiritual life can be built, we seem to gravitate towards the things that build a great social life. 

Those things are not bad…they just aren’t the best.  They shouldn’t be avoided, but they also can’t become the priority.

The Bible actually talks about this type of behavior and gives us some thoughts to ponder.  In I Corinthians 10:23 it says;

“Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive.” 

A person who is wise will not concentrate solely on what is acceptable, but they will invest in things that are beneficial and constructive.  Things that build them up, making their foundation secure and their faith meaningful. 

For example…someone who wants their faith to support their life will find time to learn about God and talk to Him. Time to read the Bible and worship the Creator. Other things might sound more exciting, but nothing is more constructive.

Someone who is committed to spiritual growth will make wise choices with their social life, recognizing that “bad company corrupts good character” (I Corinthians 15:33).   The converse is also true…good company encourages godly character.

And, they will think through their entertainment choices realizing that what they hear, see, and experience around them will have an impact on their spiritual life.  They will not sacrifice their convictions on the altar of entertainment. 

Although it is easier to live for the moment and adorn your life with whatever is popular, fun, and acceptable, many of those things are not beneficial.  Some of them actually put unnecessary weight on the edifice of your faith. 

If the floorboards of your faith are in trouble, perhaps you need to get back to the basics of your relationship with Christ.  Don’t spend all of your time on what can be seen; pull back and approach God again as if for the first time.  Ask Him to surround you with His presence and support you with His love.  Read the Bible and let that simple practice secure your foundation. 

Every choice…every day, either strengthens your foundation or adds unnecessary stress.  You might not be good with a hammer, but by making wise choices you can pound in stakes that solidify the very underpinning of your faith. Don’t neglect what is really important…instead choose wisely.  You wouldn’t want your floor to fall out from under you. 

Perhaps you feel as if your faith is on its last legs.  You feel distant from God and as if you are slipping away from Him every day.  If so, I want to remind you that He is just a prayer away.  He is waiting for you to give Him permission to invade your life.  If this is how you feel, pray the following prayer.