The Big 5نموونە

Day 2: Foundation of Belief

My college roommate and I were sitting outside of the library one day, watching students leave the math and science building. One cold winter day, as people stepped out of the building and onto the sidewalk, they were unaware of the thin layer of ice beneath them. With each step, they began to slip, losing their footing and desperately flailing to regain balance. Arms and legs flew in all directions, and backpacks swung. Most didn’t succeed and ended up sprawled out on the ground.

That’s why we need a firm foundation—to keep us from slipping and falling. The foundation on which we stand shapes how we take in the world. It determines how we live, where we go, how we speak, and the groups we join and interact with.

Jesus had something to say about our foundations. In Matthew 7:24-27, He compared those who hear His sayings and then do them as wise, as they have built their house on the rock; but those who hear and do not do them are like fools who have built their house on the sand. The one who builds their house on a rock is unshaken by the elements of life, but those who build on the sand don’t fare quite as well.

Is our belief firm and steadfast, or is it weak? Are we easily talked out of our beliefs? Are we easily persuaded? This is essential because what we believe dictates the firmness of our foundation and is reflected in what we worship. We are all designed to worship, and what we believe sets the stage for our worship. Worship happens when something directs how we live our lives, what we spend our money on, what we dedicate our time to, and what we talk about.

Growing up as a devout Nebraska football fan, I noticed my mood sour as the losses mounted throughout the years. I put so much weight on the success of the team that it affected my very nature and how I lived. I gave most of my attention to it, and my moods were affected by the outcome. I wouldn’t have acknowledged this but I was worshiping Nebraska football! When I was confronted with my worship I had to adjust the beliefs in my heart regarding my source of peace and joy.

My mom and biological father got divorced when I was four years old. This started a series of destructive thoughts regarding my value and worth. Those voices of accusation were shaping what I believed about myself. Six years later, on Easter Sunday, I placed my trust in Jesus right in my grandpa’s kitchen, and you know what happened? The voices of accusation concerning my biological father leaving came to an end. It was over!

And my belief in Jesus began to dictate my worship. That’s what happened to a blind man when He received the healing power of Jesus in John 9:35-38. Jesus revealed Himself to the once-blind man as the “Son of Man.” As a Jewish man, he knew “Son of Man” referred to the Messiah, the Christ, who would come to save the world. Jesus asked him a simple question, “Do you believe in me?” The man answered, “I believe, Lord,” and his belief led to worship.

When you believe Jesus is who He says He is, you disable the experiences, opinions, and knowledge of the world from dictating your way, your truth, and your life because now, Jesus IS the Way, the Truth, and the Life for you!

All because you BELIEVE!