November 11, 2005

Dear family of WCPC:

I've always felt that pastors are generalists. We know a little bit about a lot of things, but not much about most things. I learned something this week about resurfacing parking lots. As most of you are aware work started this week to resurface WCPC's parking lot. While discussing this with two members of the Building and Grounds Committee (formerly Administration), they told me that the key to good asphalting was making sure the foundation was solid. Asphalt has some give and take with it, so you need a strong, solid foundation.

Immediately this passage came to my mind:

"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. 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. 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. 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: 24 - 27 NIV)

I want to encourage you to give some thought to the foundation you are building your life on right now. It is secure enough to handle the storms of life? In this culture many people assume that the best foundation is having a strong financial portfolio. Now there's nothing wrong with having money in the bank. Nothing inappropriate about making certain that you are prepared for financial difficulties and setbacks, as well as making certain funds are there for college, retirement, etc. The problem is when we assume that's enough to keep us safe and secure. I think often we mistake the means as the end. Finances aren't meant to be an end in themselves, only one of the means we employ in life, not only to help ourselves, but even more importantly, as disciples of Christ, to help others. 

After my mom's death, like most families, we spent a lot of time together talking and also going through photo albums. I noticed something. As I have gotten older, I look more like my dad. Hopefully I won't lose as much hair as dad lost, but there is no mistake, I'm his son. He's my dad. Our heavenly Father is a giver. "For God so loved the world that he gave..."  (John 3:16). We are most like our heavenly Father when we give of ourselves. When we give our time, our talents, our testimony and our treasure.  And when we do, we are laying down a solid foundation for life that no storm can ever destroy, because we will have discovered what life is really all about in the first place.

I'm not suggesting it's easy. It's not. In many ways it's counter-cultural, but I am convinced it is the best way, the only way if I can be so bold, to build a foundation for life that will stand the test of time. 

See you on Sunday!  

David Jones