After hubby and I got back from our trip to Greece, hubby’s aunt sent us this photo of the Parthenon from when his uncle was in Athens in the 1970’s. Pretty cool huh!
Check out that base of the Parthenon! What a foundation! Still solid and stable over 2,000 years later.
Here is the Temple of Apollo in the city of Corinth. Nothing much is left of it other than the foundation. The few pillars which are standing are reconstructed, based on the layout of its foundation.
Not much is left of the city of ancient Corinth … other than the foundations of its homes and buildings.
Here is the Bema Seat of Corinth … the only thing remaining is its foundation.
Paul tells the people of Corinth: “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God lives in you?” – 1 Corinthians 3:16
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 3:11
As I look at this photo of the Parthenon … Jesus Christ is like this foundation right here. Jesus is the foundation of our life. After more than 2,000 years the Parthenon is still standing, because it was built on a solid foundation!
“As you come to him [Jesus Christ], the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house [temple] …
“For in Scripture it says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’” – 1 Peter 2:4-6
Today, in our current world, our foundation of life is crumbling. It used to be that if you worked hard and did your very best to produce excellence, you would be rewarded. But that is no longer the case anymore.
In today’s world, algorithms determine who is rewarded and “seen.” Not excellence of content.
In today’s world, that which is showy, catchy, and attracts attention is rewarded. Not necessarily excellence.
An artist might labor for months to produce work which is excellent. Yet AI generates a similar outcome in seconds.
A musician might labor for months to produce a musical piece which is excellent. Yet excellent effort is no longer rewarded. Rather, instant gratification is rewarded.
A student in school might labor long hours to produce an excellent assignment to turn in. Yet the professor automatically assumes they used AI to write their paper and automatically docks their grade more than 30 points. No discussion.
For today’s students, the big question is: Why try hard? Why try to do anything anymore?? Why give your very best to produce excellent work when your effort is no longer acknowledged, and you are no longer rewarded for doing excellent work?
It makes me think of Jesus’s words:
“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 [Jesus Christ].
“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
When the very foundation of society is crumbling, what hope do we have??
When there is no longer any reason for us to try hard … or work hard … or do anything at all (because it simply doesn’t matter) … what hope do we have??
Our foundation must be Jesus Christ!
Our foundation for life must be Jesus Christ!
Why try hard?? Because Jesus is our foundation, and he has called us to do our best and try hard.
Why work hard to produce excellence (when it doesn’t seem like it even matters anymore)?? Because Jesus Christ is our foundation. And he has called us to live our life with excellence … as a way to praise him.
When it seems as if there is no hope for the future … and we wonder what is going to come of our world with AI taking over everything that we used to do, and which gave humanity purpose in life??
Our hope is Jesus Christ! Our foundation is Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ keeps us sure and steady.
In Christ Alone / The Solid Rock (Medley) (Lyrics) – Travis Cottrell
“On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
“No guilt in life
No fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry, to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell
No scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from his hand
‘Til he returns, or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!”
