Laying A Good Foundation

It’s interesting how often the foundation of a building gets overlooked.  One walks up to the second floor of a mall and doesn’t think “I sure hope this floor holds up underneath me”.  No, one more than likely thinks, “I sure hope my hubby doesn’t mind that I buy this Coach purse” :).  Often we take a good foundation for granted.  Whether in the mall or in our upstairs apartment, the floor beneath our feet feels solid. Strong.  SAFE.  Something we can depend on.  Those of us who are not in the construction or architecture fields (myself included) have no clue the time and energy it takes to make sure these structures have a good, sturdy, strong foundation.  But it does you know.  Take time.  And work.  Lots and lots of work.

My friend and I were talking last night.  He’s several years older than I, single and he’s about to embark on a great adventure in his career, as well as his calling.  We were rather comfortably sitting on my living room couch and I figured I would ask the question that I had been toying around with in my mind.  “So…why do you think, when you clearly desire marriage, that God has you single while embarking on this new territory?  It seems to me you would really need a partner to tackle what is ahead”.   My friend looked me dead in my eyes and said with great conviction, “Nicole, it’s about foundation.”

I let that statement permeate my heart and find a resting place in my spirit.

He went on to share that God always lays a good foundation and that his season of singleness was just the opportunity God was using to do so.  To prepare him to be the covering he needed to be for a woman.  For a family.  We talked about Joseph in the Bible and the seemingly endless tests, trials, & periods of waiting that just kept coming his way (just so you know the Disney version of this story gives a great visual :)).  It became clear to me through our discussion that these trials were the foundation God needed to prepare Joseph for the greatness that lied ahead of him.  In response to this revelation my friend’s eye twinkled and a smile played at each corner of his lips.  I cocked my head to the side and tried not to sigh from frustration at God’s ways.

God was going deep with him.  And with me as well.

This process of sanctification takes on different forms and varies from person to person, but the foundation remains the same.  The foundation laid in each of God’s children is strong, sturdy and… eternal.    It will withstand the most adverse circumstances one can find themselves in and therefore needs to be aptly appreciated.

We would be unable to marvel at even the most exquisite architecture on earth if not for the foundation underneath it, which was properly laid.

God is building something great in each of us and like any good Architect, He’s making sure His handiwork will stand the test of time.  Because of God’s attention to detail and gifted hands, not only will we endure, but all the world will marvel at us as well.