Everyone who hears my words and obeys them is like a wise man who built His house on rock. It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and hit that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on rock. Everyone who hears my words and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built His house on sand. It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and hit that house, and it fell with a big crash. (Matthew 7:24-27)

Ponder It.

When have you felt physically uncertain, not confident or comfortable where you walked or stood?

When have you felt spiritually uncertain, not confident or comfortable?

What does it feel like to experience a jolt in life, as if a skateboard flew out from under you and you crashed to the concrete?

Receive It.

Just because you feel you’re on shaky ground doesn’t mean the ground is shaking. When skateboarding, the ground itself is solid; in fact, it’s usually about as hard as ground can get. Skateboarders want something smooth and hard without obstructions or flaws. Sure, there might be some dips and curves, and the skateboarder might choose to jump into the air, but the ground, whether it’s just beneath the board’s wheels or not, is consistently present. It’s the skateboard itself—the matter in between the ground and the skateboarder’s feet that creates the uncertainty. The ground is certain, but where the feet are placed is not.

We often feel uncertain and shaky in our faith while living with the trials of daily life. We feel as if what we feel is solid beneath our feet can slide out at any time…mainly because it’s happened to us before. We remember the feeling of the bumps and bruises. We’re still tender. In our uncertainty, we think life itself is uncertain, but just the ground—the foundation—remains solid whether our feet are firmly on it or not. Just because we feel uncertain doesn’t mean there is no certainty. Faith believes in the certainty of God even when we’re sliding through life. Faith believes in the certainty of God when we crash to the hard ground. Faith believes in the certainty of God when we get back up, learn a lesson, and move on. Going through life is going to feel as if we’re on a skateboard that’s difficult to maneuver, but we can trust God. He knows the foundation. He knows us. And He knows every bump and bruise, as well as every high-soaring feat, along this adventurous life of faith.

Live It.

Step somewhere that’s uncertain today. You don’t have to try skateboarding (and I don’t recommend it for many people!), but perhaps you’ll choose something physically uncertain such as jumping into a puddle. Perhaps it will be relationally uncertain, such as reconnecting with someone you have had issues with. It might be something spiritually uncertain because you’re out of practice or uncomfortable. Let God lead…and trust Him for the certainty of knowing the ground beneath your feet.

Today’s post is part of a 30-day devotional of Adventures in Faith. A new post will be available each morning to launch your day with reflection questions, God’s Word, and a personal challenge.