Matthew 7:24–27 | 6-Minute Read
Welcome back to The Narrow Way!
Well, here we are in Week 11, and I can't believe how quickly this series has gone by. Over the last couple of months, we've been walking through the Sermon on the Mount together, and I'll tell you what, Jesus has been teaching me just as much through writing these messages as I hope He's been teaching you through reading them.
It's been a busy season of life. Between earning status on the MENA Tour, preparing for the upcoming season, working on sponsorships, and training, there's certainly no shortage of things keeping me occupied. I spend hours every day working on my golf game because I want to be as prepared as possible when I tee it up in competition.
But something I've been thinking about lately is how much time we spend taking care of everything in our lives while sometimes neglecting the most important thing.
Imagine owning a car and being incredibly diligent about maintaining the tires. Every morning you check the pressure, fill them up when they're low, and make sure they're ready for the road. You take great care of those tires because you know how important they are.
But there's one problem. You never put any gas in the car.
Eventually, you're going to get in, turn the key, and wonder why you aren't going anywhere. Your tires might be in perfect condition, but without fuel, that car isn't taking you very far.
And I think we can do the exact same thing with our faith.
We can spend so much time taking care of everything else in our lives that we forget to spend time with the One who gives us life in the first place.
Building on the Rock
In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus finishes the Sermon on the Mount with a story about two men building houses. One builds his house on rock, while the other builds on sand.
Jesus says:
"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." — Matthew 7:24
Eventually, the rain comes, the streams rise, and the winds blow against both houses. The house built on rock stands firm, while the house built on sand falls with a great crash.
What stands out to me is that both houses experienced the storm.
Jesus never promises that following Him means we won't experience difficult seasons. He's teaching us that the foundation we build our lives on matters when those seasons come.
And notice something else. Both builders heard His words. The difference was that one actually put them into practice.
We've spent eleven weeks studying what Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount. We've talked about loving our enemies, prayer, worry, forgiveness, the narrow gate, and what it means to genuinely know Him. But what happens when we close our Bibles and go about our day? Are we allowing His Word to change the way we live?
Don't Forget the Fuel
Matthew 4:4 says:
"Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Jesus is reminding us that there's more to life than meeting our physical needs. We need to be nourished spiritually, and God's Word is essential to that.
I think about that car analogy again.
For me, golf practice, fitness, nutrition, sleep, and taking care of my responsibilities are all important. They're part of being a good steward of what God has given me.
But if I'm spending hours working on my golf game, making sure I'm eating well, getting enough sleep, and preparing for tournaments while neglecting my time with Jesus, I've got my priorities out of order.
I'm taking care of the tires while forgetting to fill the tank.
And I think this applies to all of us. We can have successful careers, healthy routines, beautiful homes, and busy schedules, but none of those things can replace a relationship with Jesus.
I also want to be careful here because reading our Bibles isn't some religious checklist that earns us God's love. We spend time in His Word because we want to know Him, because we love Him, and because we need Him.
Jesus says in John 6:35:
"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
He's the One who gives us life. His Word teaches us who He is, and the Holy Spirit helps us understand and live out what He's teaching us.
When the Storm Comes
I've experienced enough ups and downs in professional golf to know that life doesn't always go according to plan. There have been tournaments where I've played great and others where I've struggled. Doors have opened that I never expected, and others have closed despite all the preparation I put into them.
Even now, with tour status earned, there are still unanswered questions about the season ahead. But I know that my peace doesn't have to depend on knowing exactly what's coming next.
My foundation is Jesus.
That doesn't mean I won't get frustrated, disappointed, or worried sometimes. I'm still learning and growing. But when those moments come, I know Who I can turn to.
Pray With Me
Jesus, thank You for being our firm foundation. Thank You for Your Word and for the opportunity to know You personally.
Forgive us for the times we've become so focused on everything else that we've neglected our relationship with You. Help us recognize where we've been building our lives on things that won't last.
Give us a desire to spend time in Your Word, hear what You're teaching us, and put those things into practice. When difficult seasons come, remind us that our hope and peace are found in You.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Take It to the Tee
Here's what I want to challenge you with this week.
Am I spending more time maintaining the things in my life than I am building my relationship with Jesus?
Think about where your time and attention have been going lately. Are you making room for God's Word, prayer, and actually putting what Jesus teaches into practice?
Maybe you've been so busy taking care of everything else that your spiritual tank has been running on empty.
If that's you, I'd encourage you to open your Bible this week and spend some intentional time with Jesus. Start with Matthew 5–7. We've spent eleven weeks walking through these chapters, and there's so much here that can change the way we live.
The goal isn't to check another task off your list. It's to get to know the One who gave you life.
I want to continue chasing my dream of playing on the PGA TOUR, and I'm going to work incredibly hard to get there. But no matter how far golf takes me, I want to make sure my life is being built on the only foundation that will last.
Know Him and make Him more known.
See you next week.