This Sunday, Bob Cherry, founding pastor of Northeast Christian Church, wrapped up our series A Word to the Generations, speaking to the Village Elders. Whether you are young or old, retired or just beginning your career, the choices you make every day shape the house you live in—your life and character. God sees not appearances but the heart, and our true foundation must be Jesus Christ—the only one that endures storms.
Imagine yourself at the end of your life, looking back. How would you finish this sentence: “I wish I had spent more time…”?
Are we investing in relationships, faith, and character, or are we distracted by temporary pursuits? Author Dallas Willard reminds us: “The main thing God gets out of your life is the person you become.”
It’s not about our resume or achievements but about our inner transformation and faithfulness.
Life is a construction project of the soul. Every day, every choice, and every thought lays a brick in the house we live in. We are called to build with care, using the precious materials of love, joy, and peace, grounded on the unshakable foundation of Jesus Christ.
As you navigate the challenges and blessings of life, choose to build a house that will stand the test of time and reflect God’s glory. Invest in your character, nurture your faith, and create a legacy of kindness and humility.
Wherever you are in life, it’s never too late to start building right. Let this be your prayer:
“Lord, build your character in me. May my life be a house of gold, silver, and precious stones, standing firm on the foundation of Jesus Christ.”
May your house be a place of hope, love, and joy for all who enter—and a testament to a life well-lived.
Building Your House
Our character is the house we live in, shaped day by day, choice by choice. Every word we speak, every thought we entertain, and every action we take is like a brick or beam in our personal construction. Are we building with gold, silver, and precious stones—the qualities that withstand life’s tests? Or are we settling for wood, hay, and straw that will not endure?
“If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.” – 1 Corinthians 3:12-13
Firm Foundation
Too often, we judge life by outward accomplishments—our job titles, income, looks, or social status. But God looks deeper. When Samuel was choosing a king from Jesse’s sons, God told him:
“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 16:7
Our true foundation is not what the world sees but the condition of our hearts. Building a life with integrity, kindness, humility, and faith is what lasts. It’s what will be revealed and rewarded, or exposed, on the day of judgment. Jesus is the only reliable foundation. Trusting Him means placing our faith in His life, death, and resurrection. It means allowing Him to shape our character and guide our decisions daily.
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 3:11
A Lasting Legacy
Building a life of character is a daily, sometimes slow, process. It requires intentionality and self-reflection. Each day offers an opportunity to add gold, silver, and precious stones—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and faithfulness—to our inner house.
Recognizing the brevity of life motivates us to invest in what truly matters. When we lie on our deathbed, what will we wish we had spent more time doing? Loving others? Forgiving? Serving? Growing spiritually? These reflections help us prioritize and build a lasting legacy.