Pastor's Corner

The wise man built his house upon the rock ...” (Matthew 7:24)

If this is so why is a “hard heart” a bad thing? Well, someone with a “hard” heart is harder to manipulate. So then, why is a “soft heart” admirable? Maybe because we can take advantage of it so easily. This is where language can be a barrier to understanding sometimes and where our assumptions can get in the way. Because I’m not talking about cold-hearted or mean spirited when I say a “hard” heart. What I mean is here is one that is hard like a rock, firm and strong enough to be a foundation for a house of God.

Our hearts – full of softness, gentleness, love – should also be like a rock – firm, solid, strong – so that what’s built on it will survive being shook, like houses in an earthquake. Hearts should not be soft like sand, giving in whenever anything touches them. A rock will break with too much stress of course, but it can be shaped formed faceted like a diamond, the hardest substance we know. We are not called to be soft, but firm in our faith. We are not to be ashamed of the Gospel.

If we want to build a house for God in our hearts we must build it on a heart of rock. One that will be steadfast and not shift at the first sign of trouble. God is my rock and my redeemer. I will build my church on this rock (Peter). The wise man built his house upon the rock.

Hard or soft hearted God will be there in our hearts if only we will let him.

He will harden our hearts, strengthen them to withstand trial if you prefer to say it that way.

This is the good news that God will take the softest, most useless foundation of a heart and turn it into the strongest firmest foundation of a heart if only we will let him.

Without God our hearts cannot be good foundations but with God, our hearts are the rocks upon which his church is built.

We are the church, which is why it is important for people of faith to worship together, to fellowship together, to pray together.

Without the people, the church building is only a place.

With people as a foundation, the building becomes a place for God’s work in the world to begin.

God’s grace is the rock on which we build our hearts. Remember and give thanks that our best days are never so good that we are beyond the need of God’s grace. Our worst days are never so bad that we are beyond the touch of God’s grace. God’s grace is the foundation on which I will build my heart of rock, steadfast and true to God and you.

Rev. Jeannette Solimine

United Church of Christ

Colfax, WA