What Are You Built On

What follows is a transcript of Pastor Gina’s message from our Sunday morning gathering. We share these messages on our blog for those who appreciate the opportunity to read the sermon again—whether for deeper reflection, personal study, or a quieter moment of prayer and introspection. As you read, we invite you to linger with the words, notice what resonates, and remain open to how God may be speaking to you through them.

by Pastor Gina Johnson

So last time I was here, we had a question and it was, who do you say you are? And so as I was in the weeks following, I thought about, you know, that's not really a small question. You know, who do you say you are? That's a question that really can have an impact on how you move through your days, how you move through your weeks, how you move through your life, and what other people see and what other people may think about you. But it brought me to a follow-up question and that question would be, well, what are you built on? Because as you're defining who you say you are, where does that come from? What is it that you're built on? You know, it's interesting because as you're describing yourself to people, it's really easy to say all the right things about yourself because you're the one that's deciding what to tell people about who you are.

And so you can, depending on your mood that day, paint yourself to be one way or another. And a lot of us when people, you know, we tell people who we are, we don't actually tell them who we are. We tell them whatever labels we happen to be wearing in our mind and heart that particular day.

And that has a lot to do with what we're built on. Because when our plans shift or something changes or catch us off guard, you guys hear me bring those things up all the time, because it just seems to be the pattern. We know who we are, we understand things about ourselves until we don't.

And when something changes suddenly or maybe it's just something that feels off, we really start to realize what are we built on. I think I'm going to keep looking at the imaginary people that are over there, guys, because it's just my pattern. So just so you know, wow, there's a lot of people sitting over there, just to keep you guys there.

But you know, it's interesting because we often think we know what we're standing on, but when something takes a shift, it changes pretty quickly. When something is shaking in our lives, what we're built on will really be revealed to us and it'll determine everything from there. There is a story, a Zen story, about a storm that comes through a village.

And after the storm passes, the people they go out and they're looking at all the damage, and they notice something that's very interesting. These strong oak trees that have been solid, that they've seen for years and years, they're not the same anymore. Some are cracked, some branches are fallen, some have fallen over completely, but yet the bamboo trees were still standing.

They may have been swaying and bending, but they did not fall. As the wind came, the bamboo wasn't trying to resist it. It was just going with it.

It bent with it, and when the storm passed, it rose right back up. It's one of the things that we have to remember that strength doesn't isn't about rigidity. It's not about just being stuck in a particular way.

It's about what are you rooted in. Your strength will come from what you're rooted in, especially when life is moving and life is shifting. And Jesus actually talks about this in a very familiar story that I bet you guys could tell me just as much as I could tell you.

And so let's take a look at that. So, everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on rock.

And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was its fall. Now when Jesus had finished saying these words, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, not as their scribes.

And so it's interesting. When you hear that story, it's a pretty simple picture, but there's a lot of honesty to it. Both of the people in the story, the man is building on something.

There's the man who's building on rock, and there's the man who's building on sand. They're both putting in effort. They're both putting in time.

I'm sure they're both putting their heart into this as they are building their house. From the outside, as people are looking on, it probably looks the same. The difference doesn't show up until the storms show up.

The difference doesn't show up until something starts to move, and isn't that how it looks for us as well? I mean, how many of you woke up this morning thinking, you know, today I think I'm going to build my life on something shaky. I'm going to build my life on something uncertain today. You know, I was telling Travis, we've been doing some rearranging, and I told him as I was getting slightly annoyed, I said, I just want to know.

I said, do you remember what I want to know? What is it I always say? And I said, do you and the children lay in bed early in the morning before you guys get up and think, what can I do to annoy mommy today? And sadly, I think, yes, yeah, he admitted that they do. And I was like, yeah, you know, so most of us don't lay in bed in the morning thinking, what am I going to do to make things shaky today? But at the same time, if we're not watching what we are building our life on, then we might as well be laying in bed thinking, I think I will build my life on something shaky today. It doesn't actually happen that way.

It's a little more subtle. It shows up in moments where we didn't expect it to be there. Sometimes your day is going completely fine, and everything feels steady.

Everything feels exactly as it should. But when that one small thing shifts, and it could be something really small, it's not the thing that moves you. It's not necessarily what's happening that moves you.

It's what it touches within you. See, depending on what you have been focused on within, depending on where you have been fixing your attention and placing your intention, when something starts to go awry or there comes a transition in our life, think about the kids that are graduating. You know, this means new opportunities, new adventures, and maybe for some it just means returning back to something with a piece of paper in their hand and not sure where they go from here.

But you have it all planned out, and everything feels steady. But when that one small thing shifts, depending on where you're at on the inside, depending on where you have been placing your attention, will definitely determine what happens next. Because if you have not been building your house on the rock, it's going to touch your sense of control.

It's going to touch the expectations of what you thought was going to happen, and then that shifts how you're going to handle it. It's going to move simple things of, this is now how the rest of my day is going to go. It's amazing how something external can just move everything internal.

It may be something small on the outside, but if it finds that deeper place within us that's already insecure, that's already doubtful, that's already caught up in the wrong things, well then it lingers and it festers, and it's like a wound that didn't get healed properly. It'll start to create more and more trouble and cause an infection. And that infection can be worry, it can be fear, it can show up in the ways that we move about in our day, it can shift our attitude and our focus.

And part of the reason that that happens, and we may not even realize it, is that we're placing our sense of who we are, our sense of steadiness, and things that were never meant for it to hold that part of us. You know, when we start looking at things external to determine how we're supposed to be within our life, who we are, what we're supposed to be living for, it changes everything. When we place how our day is supposed to go on how people respond to us throughout the day, well good luck, because unless you're planning to have a perfect conversation and a perfect encounter throughout every moment of your day, you're going to come home exhausted and tired because you were looking for other people to determine your sense of steadiness and peace throughout the day.

And this doesn't have anything to do with you doing something wrong, it's just it's easy to drift around when you're not rooted in something that's eternal. It's easy to fluctuate, it's easy to be here and confident and strong and then be over here cowering and weak when you're not rooted in something that's eternal and everlasting. Again, sometimes it's really subtle, but it happens when we live and move from what's happening around us instead of the steady truth of the I Am Presence that is within us.

How many times have you let your peace be determined on what is taking place, whether everything is hitting every mark and checking every box? Your peace should be determined on that knowing that within you is the presence of the Christ, something that's unmovable and unshakable, and you come directly from that. The essence of you comes directly from the Christ that is within you. I think a lot of times we tend to think, you know, how I should feel has to line up with everything looking picture perfect on the outside.

But when we do that, it's going to create a lot more turmoil and challenges in our life, as opposed to if we say, this is how I determine who I am, what I know, and what I receive from God. So if this continues to shift around me, it's okay. You know, when you start to place a quiet dependency on that external picture, you start to realize it was never dependable.

And that's why you never should have expected these things outside of you to tell you how to be, who to be, and where to find that peace. When we're moving through moments of life, it's nice to think that we're just responding. In that moment, we're just reacting and responding.

But the truth is the way that we react and respond to any situation, whether you just chip a nail, whether you accidentally get in your car and slam your seatbelt in the door, whether you get an unexpected notice or diagnosis, see we can get bigger, whether you turn on the TV and for some crazy reason decide to listen to the news for an hour or two or seven. How many of us are guilty of doing that one? You know, whatever it is, whether it's small or whether it's large, the way that we respond and react in that moment is going to reveal where we place our weight, where we are really leaning. And that's why that bamboo illustration matters so much.

It couldn't avoid the storm, and it didn't have to, because it was rooted in something that it didn't matter if it was going to bend, it wasn't going to break. And that's exactly where Jesus is taking us in his parable, in his teaching, because Jesus is talking about building your house on the rock. He's not just giving construction advice.

Jesus isn't a foreman here at the local worksite. He's pointing to something deeper than our behavior. He's pointing to our foundation.

He's pointing to that internal knowing of who we are. And you know, building your house on the rock, don't get confused, guys. It's not about striving harder.

I'm building my house on the rock because I'm determined, and I'm doing better than everyone else, and I'm investing more time and effort, and I'm really just sunk into this. That's not what it means to build our house on the rock. It's not about being able to smile and hold everything picture perfect.

Hey, look guys, my world is falling to crap, but look at me, I got it. No, that's not building your house on the rock either, because if that smile is just a mask in that moment, what happens when no one's around and you take the mask off? Then what are you building on? You know, all throughout the scripture, God reveals the unshakable nature, as we talked about a couple weeks back, of the I am. The I am that you are.

The I am that is Christ and living within you. And what did I say a couple weeks back? It's not a I was, it's not a I will be. I got to hear a wonderful message, thank you, last week when I wasn't here, and the minister was talking about when you're constantly focused on what was, looking in the past, that's what brings depression.

Because you're always seeking something behind you that you don't have anymore. And when you're constantly worried and worried about the future, that's what brings anxiety. Because instead of being in the present moment, you're looking out there, painting this expectation that this is how it has to go.

But why not just stop right here? Not in the what was, not in the what will be, but why not stop right here? Present and steady and unchanging. You know, I love the way the Holy Spirit works, as I was sitting there with Travis, and I was thinking about this message, and I was thinking about the idea of what you built your house on, without going into any sort of details. But you all have known me long enough to say, you know, Travis and Gina have a pretty unique situation.

And we do. But I'll tell you what. Our house, although it's in two separate locations, we're actually next door neighbors, but it's there side by side.

Our house, our love, our bond with our children, is so strong. Because if there's one thing Travis and I have held together throughout the 20 plus years that we've known each other, it's what we build our house on. Early on, when we first started living together, we had a scripture on the wall that said, as for me in my house, I will serve the Lord.

And that's the truth of it. You know, it doesn't matter what the external world tries to tell us about who we are, what we become, or what we're doing to our children. We could care less, because we know that inside, we have built who we are, and how we raise our children, and how we love our church, and our community, and our families, based on the way that God has loved us, based on the way that we love each other.

And that's what it's about. It's about recognizing that things don't always go as planned. And you know what? The way we do things isn't always going to appeal to everyone else out there.

But if you can be true to yourself, and recognize what Jesus is saying to you, it's not about what's going on in that moment. It's about where have you choose to root yourself. Where are you finding your stillness? Where are you finding your peace and presence? Because I'm sure many of you know, there are going to be transitions.

There's going to be diagnosis. There's going to be unexpected phone calls from places you don't want to hear from. And then there's going to be that wonderful joy, like a new grandchild, or great grandchild coming into your life.

But in all of that, are you going to be able to stand strong? And you may sway this way, and that way, and even fully bend down. But when you pop back up with that resilience of knowing, I built my house on the rock. Jesus is not telling you to be perfect.

He's telling you that when you remain in something that is steady and unshakeable, then the presence of God will remain with you. And I don't want to confuse you to ever say, though, the presence of God is going to leave you just because you don't know where to fix your attention. No.

God is always with you, yesterday, today, forever. But I'll tell you, the way you feel that presence with you will determine on where you're looking. Not just in the moments of chaos and trouble, but where are you looking when things get personal? Where are you looking when things get deep? Because if you're looking out here and saying, hey, maybe money will fix this.

Hey, maybe the right medication will fix this. Maybe if I throw the right tantrum in this moment, everyone will stop and listen to me correctly. That's not going to do it.

You have to turn inward because that same I am presence that met Moses, that same I am presence that was with the man that built his house on rock, that's what we have. And I'm saying that's what we have. We don't have to chase it.

A lot of us like to put the provision of God's love and God's abundance and God's presence in our lives way out here. And we go to that question of where are you, God? As things are doing this, where are you? Where are you? Well, if you've been looking all along, then you know that God is right there. And this is just another opportunity to see God's divinity, to see God's love, to see God's provision.

When everything around you feels uncertain, God is steady. When your thoughts are racing, maybe it takes a breath or two or 25, I don't know, but there's something deeper inside of you and that is the presence of God and it is still and it is strong. When things continue to shift around you, God doesn't move.

And for that reason, neither should you. You should recognize the truth of what you are standing on, the truth of what is within you. You don't have to say, well, does that mean I don't feel things and I don't experience things? Of course you do, because how do you learn without the classroom of life? How do you grow without the discomfort? You know, if life is really comfortable all the time, well, then you're not going to grow, but that's okay.

You can feel and you can have these challenges and you can be exhausted and frustrated and angry, but don't hold onto it too long because that's not the foundation you're built on. You are built on something that is not shaky and inconsistent. You are built on something much stronger, much bigger than that, and it just takes the intention of saying, when life throws me off, I'm going to pause before I react and I'm going to remember who I am and where I come from and what lives within me.

When you're moving through your week, this is just a little thing, when you're moving through your week this week and something starts to get shaky, I want you to pause for just a moment and ask yourself this question, what am I standing on right now? So you might be in that moment where something starts to feel a little shaky and you ask yourself that question, what am I standing on right now? Because if you're standing on the fact that you're aging, then you're building your life on sand. If you're standing on the fact that you're experiencing fear or worry or depression or lack or illness or anxiety, if you're even standing on that concept of, oh my gosh, death is right around the corner, what am I going to do? Then you're building your house on sand.

If you're standing on the idea that if things don't go my way and don't look exactly how I expect them to look, then you're building your house on sand. But I want to tell all of you that you've built your house on the rock. Maybe over the past days, weeks, months, years, you've let a lot of sand cover up that foundation.

Well, you know, grab the broom of authority and sweep that sand away and get back to that foundation that you're built on. When you're moving through this week and you stop and you say, what am I standing on right now? Recognize I'm standing on the presence of God with me right now. I'm standing on a piece that does not come and go.

I'm standing on truth even if I don't feel it yet. That's always an important one. I'm standing on truth even if I don't feel it yet.

I'm standing in the full provision of God even if I don't see it yet. I'm standing on the knowing that nothing, nothing can come against me because of the God that I stand on. I'm standing on something deeper than the situation I'm in right now.

And you guys can tailor that statement however you want, but speak it with truth and speak it with conviction. I am standing on the I am that will never fail. And if for some reason you choose to say, well, you know, I'm standing on worry.

I'm standing on the lack of money. I'm standing on that diagnosis I got the other day. Well, fine.

If I were you, I would sit down before you fall down because what you're standing on is not steady and not solid. I would say if you can approach your week by saying, I am standing on the I am, then the good news is that every single day you can continue to build on that I am. There once was a man who built his house on the sand and when the storm came, it didn't do very much.

We don't need to do a show of hands, but how many of us have attempted to build our house on the sand? Why would we keep doing that instead of just recognizing the foundation of the rock that we are built on? I'm standing on the I am. I'm standing on the presence of God right here and right now.

Please join me in prayer.

Our most gracious and loving God, as we move through this beautiful blessing of life, moment by moment, day after day, we recognize that we have plenty of opportunity to forget who you are, to forget who we are, to forget how to love and trust and be still. So God, we call on you in your infinite power and authority and we say, remind us, God. Help us to remember.

Ignite in us that presence and power that says, I am standing on God. I am standing on the rock of Christ that never fails. And with that, God, we say thank you.

We say thank you because we know even when we don't see it and we don't feel it, it is the truth of who we are because of you and because of Christ Jesus. And it's in his most beautiful name we pray. Amen.