Hey
It’s a new year, and that means a lot of things. I won’t beat an already dead horse as you’ve probably heard all sorts of “new years” resolutions and challenges and things, but regardless of where you’re at already in the new year, this is something you might want to take with you for the rest of 2026, and the rest of your life.
Let's talk about one of Jesus's most famous parables - but I want us to look at it differently than we usually do.
You know the one… There’s two builders, two houses, and one storm. Matthew 7:24-27.
Here's the passage:
"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."
Now, here's what I stood out to me… both builders heard the same sermon.
Think about that for a second. The foolish builder wasn't ignorant to what Jesus had said. He wasn't absent from church that day. He heard Jesus teach. He probably nodded along. Maybe even took notes. He had the same head knowledge as the wise builder.
The difference however? One of them actually built with what he heard.
The Deception of Almost-Wisdom
This is where it gets uncomfortable for me. How many times have I left a sermon fired up, highlighted a verse, written in my journal about a truth I discovered... and then just moved on with my week unchanged?
I think we underestimate how easy it is to confuse hearing with doing. To think that because we know the right answer, we're actually living it.
The book of James has a lot to say about this too… Being doers and not hearers.
The foolish builder probably felt pretty good about his house too. It probably looked fine from the outside. Maybe even identical to the wise man's house. Same square footage, same curb appeal.
But underneath it probably told a totally different story.
What Does Building on Rock Actually Look Like?
Let's say you read about forgiveness. Head knowledge says: "I should forgive." Wisdom - building on rock - says: "I'm going to text that person today and take a real step toward reconciliation, even though it's uncomfortable."
Or you study what Jesus says about worry. Head knowledge: "I shouldn't be anxious about money." Wisdom: "I'm going to create a budget this week and actually trust God with specific financial decisions rather than just feeling guilty about my anxiety."
Do you see the difference? One sounds spiritual (yay!) The other requires a shovel.
The rock isn't just Jesus's words - it's the foundation you pour when you actually do what He said.
Each act of obedience, each moment you choose His way over your default... that's another bucket of concrete making your foundation stronger.
The Storm Is Coming (And That's Not Bad News)
Jesus doesn't say "if" the storm comes. He says "when." Rain will come, there will be rising waters and beating winds.
Both houses WILL get hit.
Following Jesus doesn't exempt us from hard times. But here's the promise: when your life is built on actually doing what He said, not just knowing what He said, you'll stand.
The storm isn’t meant to be a punishment believe, but rather, it’s a revealing anatomy that shows what we've really been building on.
So here's my question for both of us this week:
What's one thing you know Jesus has said that you've been hearing but not doing?
Not ten things. One thing. And what would it look like to actually build with that truth?
When the storm comes - and it will - you'll be so grateful you did.
Now, so far, you might be very familiar with that outlook on the passage…
But if there’s one thing I want you to take some time to think about this parable is the idea of the storm.
As someone who had arguably the worst year of my life in 2025 (2 Cardiac arrests, among other things), I’ve come to understand the storm in this parable as a gift — not something to fear.
The storm is the only thing that reveals the truth.
Without the storm, both builders would think they’re fine.
You can’t tell the difference in good weather, as both houses stood fine when life was easy. The difference only shows up under pressure.
The Bible has a lot to say about going through the storms of life.
And honestly, that’s a very optimistic view on life — because it means you CAN build your life on the rock as much as you’ve maybe built it on the sand.
Every single act of obedience in 2026, even the small ones, the ones no one sees, is you building your foundation on the rock.
It doesn’t matter how much sand you’ve been building on up until now.
And THAT, is great news.
-Nils