A Firm Foundation: What’s Your Foundation Built On?

A Walk With Christ

By: Lanesha Brown

November 27, 2023

If you are a parent, I know you can relate to going through those phases where our children wanted to watch the same movie or show, over and over... and over again. Until they got bored with it and became fixated with something else. Well, when my child was one, he loved to watch The Mother Goose Club. When he got bored with that, he became fascinated with the movie Sing. Then, Daddy Day Care became his go-to. As he got older, his attention span became shorter, and he began to love short clips or shows. One night, I introduced him to The Three Little Pigs by Silly Symphony on Youtube. This became a nightly watch for him. As I am watching this 8 minute clip with my son every night, I began to view the story of The Three Little Pigs as analogy for us, as Christians. I began to think about how important it is to put in the work (spiritually) in order to withstand the trials and tribulations of life. Now, I just ask that you bear with me as I retell the story of the Three Little Pigs and how it can apply to our Christian lives.

In this short clip on Youtube, we are introduced to two little pigs singing and building their homes with straw and sticks. It was easy, and good enough for them to quickly get the job done. They sung about how they would rather play, instead of taking the time to put in the work to ensure that their homes were sturdy and secure. We are then introduced to the third pig, who is singing about building his house with bricks, and not having time to dance or play. Later in the clip, we see the two pigs mocking the last pig for working hard and not taking time to play. The last pig responds and says something that stuck out to me, and could very well apply to our lives when we do not take the time to build a relationship with Christ. He says "I'll be safe and you'll be sorry, when the wolf comes to your door". To me, this was a perfect depiction of two things. One, it depicts how non believers, or even believers who may still be lukewarm, view Christians who have done away with worldly things and choose to live a life that is Christ-like. We are often mocked for choosing to follow Jesus. Two, it illustrates how easy it is for the Satan (the wolf) to enter our lives and cause destruction, when we have not done the proper work (spiritually) to keep him out, or endure the trials that are to come. (Because there will be trials). But, in order to withstand those trials, Christ should always be our firm foundation. It is the only foundation that can't be shaken.

How can we put in work?

If we take our lives and compare it to the Three Little Pigs, which pig could you relate to the most? Are you the one that does "just enough"? As a Christian, I know we have ALL been there. We say a quick prayer every night, or pray when we remembered to pray. Or we attend church every now and then. I would consider this the "bare minimum Christian". We do what we think is enough to be considered a Christian, but still seek pleasure and gratification from the world. Christianity is not a label. It is a lifestyle.

If we look at how diligently the last pig worked on his house in preparation for the possibility of the wolf coming to attack, we can compare it to the believers who do more than just the bare minimum. In order to have Christ as our firm foundation, we must first build a relationship with Him. This comes from doing more than the occasional prayer, or the periodic church visits. We must constantly have conversations with our Father. Talk to Him. He wants to hear from you, because He loves you. We have to stay in the Word. Don't just read it. Meditate on it. Learn it. Incorporate fasting while praying. Do all of the things that He commands us to do. Living for Christ requires you to die to self DAILY.

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As the clip nears to the end, we notice that the wolf (or Satan in our analogy) has successfully torn down the homes of the pigs who did not take the time to properly build their homes. The wolf then comes to the home of the pig who spent his time building his home with bricks. The wolf realizes that he could not blow down his home. So he then tries to use a tactic that Satan often uses in our lives. Trickery and deception. He dressed up as a sheep in need of help. (A wolf in sheep's clothing? Sounds a lot like Satan to me!) The pig recognizes this and does not let him in. Most of the time, deception is the only way that Satan is able to infiltrate our lives. He has to trick us into opening that door, because he knows he cannot do it on his own. We can recall the first time Satan used this tactic in the book of Genesis. This is where it becomes important to have a discerning spirit. Continuously seek guidance from the Holy Spirit. Don't let the enemy fool you!

In conclusion, I just want to stress the importance of prioritizing your relationship with Christ. If you are not sure how to do it, just think of it as any other relationship. A great relationship requires communication (prayer), getting to know the person (study the word), and doing right by that person (following His commandments). Just imagine the other party in any of your relationships, only communicating with you every once in a while, or when they were in need of something. We wouldn't like it! It would not feel good. Just as we try our best to keep our relationships here on earth in good standing, we should try even harder with our relationship with Christ. Again, it is a daily choice. A lifestyle. No one wakes up being the perfect Christian. In fact, the perfect Christian does not exist. So, don't be discouraged if you feel as though you are not where you should be. The great thing about your walk with Christ is that you are never walking alone. He is always with you.

We simply cannot do life without Christ. We need Him in every season of our lives. If you find that you are only doing the bare minimum, I encourage you to get serious about your salvation! Build your life on Jesus.