...will anyone hear it? I won't debate the answer to that question (I say yes, if anyone's around) but this I do know: If a tree falls in a residential neighborhood, most likely no one will hear anything on their telephone.
We've had a lot of rain lately, as you all know, and that always means more work for moi. Heavy rains mean saturated soil which means that roots are anchored in loose, watery mud instead of firm, dry soil. Add a little wind and, voila, Chuckie's working late.
Just a couple of days ago we were called, (at 3 stinking 30) to go to a small neighborhood behind Berry Funeral Home. Ugh. Lots of old trees there. We arrived and saw what you see above, only there was a telephone cable underneath it. This tree was HUGE! It was as big around as my dining room table. Okay, not my table because mine is rectangular (and scorched) but as big as a round dining room table. Trust me, it was a big 'un.
We looked over the damage and made a call for some new cable. While we were waiting for that to be delivered, we studied this tree and oohed and aahed over the size and how it wasn't dead. In fact, to look inside the exposed trunk it looked very healthy and alive. The problem was under the ground. The exposed root ball had a large, cavernous hole underneath. The tree didn't break, it didn't even blow over. One side had actually washed out under it and the thing just simply tipped over, just like if your tire goes flat and one corner of your car lowers. It was amazing.
As I stood and gawked about this, my wheels started turning. No matter how healthy and alive something appears, inside or out, knock out the foundation and it will topple over and come crashing down.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. --1 Corinthians 3:10,11
I will say again that if I had met Paul in the first century, I don't think I would have liked him. Great preacher, yes, but still, we wouldn't have clicked for other reasons. But one thing about him that I love, he was constanly reminding the believers of what they had been taught by him. He wasn't about to let them plead ignorance. If they fell away, it was their choice but he kept their faith fresh on their minds.
Here he reminds them that the basis of it all, everything that they do, believe, every work they perform, is built on the foundation of Christ. He is the reason and the cause of all we do. It's all for Him, about Him, and by Him. And anything built upon that will be tested by fire; the things that survive bringing reward, and the things that are burned up suffering loss.
The Old Testament prophesies of this:
...therefore thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am the One who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'Whoever believes will not be in haste.' " --Isaiah 28:16
Ah yes, now the personal part. How's your foundation? How strong are the central, core beliefs and the fundamental faith and love you have for God? Will they withstand a storm? Will Satan wash out underneath you and bring you crashing down with the simplest temptation? When you face the world and the deceptions it throws our way, will you become weakened and fall in with them, your faith toppling like the tree above?
I did. I do, frequently. I couldn't see it at the time but, ya know, hindsight and all that jazz. I've been a sucker for deception. I've often said that I am the devil's favorite Christian, so easy to sway. It's only because, at the time, I wasn't building anything worthwhile on my foundation. I've known Jesus for a long time and that will never change or weaken. But failing to maintain our relationship by not staying in the Word, not furthering my prayer life, and not doing the works that will stand the test of fire leaves me, and you, vulnerable and unsteady. The roots are still intact but the ground around them can't hold them in place. All it took for that big, strong tree to fall was for a little trickle of water to slowly but eventually wash out the foundation.
Sorry if this bored you but sometimes working late pays more than overtime wages.
Have a great Wednesday.
