Founded Upon the Rock

I love buffets. In the first place, I love to eat, but I really love all the choices—Yum! However, I’m not too long at the serving tables before I recognize the truth: I can’t eat it all. Though I would love to, I can’t actually enjoy this food unless I set some priorities and limit my choices. What will be the most satisfying? Knowing myself is key in this situation. Ten bowls of ice cream might be just the thing in some extreme circumstances (though a couple of cartons eaten at home might have been cheaper). A wide variety of pasta might be the ticket on other days. That’s the beauty—and danger—of a buffet: so many choices, one stomach.

Choices mean opportunity cost. The price of serving myself steak is that I didn’t choose to eat lasagna. Do I eat the salad just because it’s handy, or do I really prefer it? Will this apple meet my nutritional needs better than an orange? Should I save a little room for dessert? Decisions, decisions.

To me, opportunity cost means I need to be intentional. If I can only choose to live in one place, do limited things in my day, and face consequences for those choices, I want to be selective. The path of least resistance, to paraphrase Thoreau, makes men and rivers crooked. This is another version of Easy Now, Hard Later. Easy to lie, but tough when no one trusts me. Easy to sleep in, be cranky with my husband, eat more treats than veggies. Not so fun to miss the deadline, have to repair my marriage, or stand on the scale. Consequences are a part of life.

But Christ teaches that doing the hard thing: being meek, generous, and loving your enemies, is, in reality, easier than any other way. Want to feel peace? Forgiving is hard, but much easier than holding a grudge. Want contentment? Developing gratitude brings fulfillment far better than Amazon. Searching for direction? Sincere prayer and meditation can lead to solutions faster than advice from TED talks.

Honestly, I’ve had to straighten out enough of my messes that I’ve decided I want His way, not mine. Christ teaches, "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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (Matthew7:24-25 NIV) Luke’s version of this story mentions that to build on the rock, the builder had to dig down first to get to the rock. (6:48) Not just site selection, site preparation. Intentionality.

Digging to find the Rock means I will need to get rid of some useless excess in my life. Activities of little worth need to be shoveled away. Unkindness or selfishness must be pushed out. I am making way for a new life—my old habits must be abandoned, no matter how comfortable or friendly they might seem, or how strange my life may seem without them. This is when I must excavate with faith!

Neal A. Maxwell, an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught, “What we insistently desire, over time, is what we will eventually become and what we will receive in eternity.” (Nov. 1996) For good or for ill, the house I build will be the one I keep.

I firmly believe in the small and simple action leading to great things. (Years of piano practice have left their mark). As I try to be intentional about becoming a follower of Christ, I know that my daily actions are important. Character development doesn’t happen overnight or by chance. “What lack I yet?” (Matt. 19:20 KJV) is a question I need to ask—and, unlike the rich young man who originally asked this question of the Master, I need to have the courage to act promptly on His counsel. My home, workplace, and community are all places for me to practice my rudimentary skills.

Life is full of struggles, but “Men [and women] are that they might have joy” through Jesus Christ (2 Nephi 2:25). As we intentionally build upon His rock, we can stand firm (Luke 6:48), for He is the more excellent way (1 Cor. 12:31). He reminds us that as we do what he teaches, though the rains of depression descend, the floods of anxiety come, and the winds of confusion blow and beat upon us, we “[fall] not, for [we are] founded upon a rock.”

Kristin Fry has been in awe of the recent beauty of sub-zero blue skies and crystalline forests. She is also anticipating spring. Kristin is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.