Sand Castles

What a great castle this will be! You are going to make it so grand, so big. You see the wild, untamed waves crash threateningly.

You hurry, the waves seem far enough away now, but you would be foolish to ignore the fact that they are coming closer.

As you step back and look at the structure, you think of all the time and energy you put into it and it looks well worth it! The detail is splendid, it's height magnificent. A job ready to be celebrated.

But you are too hasty. You forget that the massive waves are incapable of showing mercy. They leap onto the shore conquering the land only to return back to the ocean. The see neither the princely state of your castle nor the work put into it.

We often make plans that seem to be well worth the effort. We make so many resolutions, in the hopes that a new year means a new you. Resolutions like, "I will exercise more", "I will volunteer more", "I'll break this habit", or "I'll start this habit". Yet nearly 80% of Americans who make resolutions fail before January is even over.

Are you building a castle made of sand, that will only be forgotten when it's all said and done? Or are you putting on the armor of God and fighting for the Kingdom that will last for eternity?

It is so easy to make plans for our lives. But when we strive to do something good in our own strength or something we perceive as good we aren't building up something that will last for eternity but something that will come crashing down.

"For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." -1 Timothy 4:8

I don't think there is anything wrong with making plans or resolutions for the New Year, but remember Whose you are. Christ means for us to live life with eternity in mind. Looking constantly toward Him as our Guide, through hard times and slow times. May we be working for Christ's Kingdom, not our own. May He be the initiator of all our plans.