It took two years and nine months to build and has been designed to remain standing during storms with winds at 200 km/hr (125 mph). In extreme circumstances it could even withstand a magnitude 8.0 earthquake within 20kms of the tower.
That’s pretty impressive isn’t it? But what is the secret to its success? The Sky Tower’s foundations go down more than 15 metres and the concrete used was especially made of high strength, high performance concrete. Additionally, during construction daily real-time readings were taken of the structure using seven global positioning satellites to confirm its exact position.
Any builder would agree that the foundation of any building is the most essential component before any work can begin. Without a strong and level platform any building is at the mercy of the elements around it, namely wind, rain, storms and earthquakes.
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Matthew 7:24-25
Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock.
The best foundation of all for a building is bedrock. Other less stable layers such as gravel, sand, soil, clay and porous rock should be cut away so that a large structure can be built on bedrock.
Sometimes digging the foundation takes longer than the building itself. Progress seems slow and for a long time it seems nothing is happening. But all of a sudden the building appears and its finished in no time.
A foundation supports the entire structure and each part of the building depends on the foundation. If it has good, deep, sure foundations the building will stand, no matter what comes against it. If not, when trouble occurs the building will fall.
1 Corinthians 3:11
For no-one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Whether we believe it or not, our lives are exactly like a building. Depending on the foundations we have built and believe in and live by will depend greatly if our life and work will stand the test of time and all the winds, rains, storms and earthquakes that comes against us.
Jesus describes two ways to build: either upon sand (an unstable, hollow, uncertain foundation) or upon rock (a stable, thick and certain foundation).
Matthew 7:26-27
But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come in and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.
So many people are building their lives on unstable foundations and then complain about how everything went wrong in their life. Sand foundations today can include trust and dependence on money, people, work, medication, personal achievements, qualifications, as well as materialism, pride and self worth in ones belongings, self centered ambitions and worldly wisdom. Any one of these which are temporary and uncertain in life as a foundation can be a sandy place to build ones personal empire.
The only stable bedrock foundation that will ever last in this lifetime is the personal revelation and power that comes from Jesus Christ. As the Son of God He has given us unquestionable authority (Matt 28:18), power (Matt 16:19), faith to move mountains (Matt 21:21), strength to do all things (Phil 4:13) and peace from this world (John 14:27).
His promises are certain and His Words are eternal. If it has worked for mankind for the last 2,000 years I’m sure it can work for any of us today.
Hebrews 11:10
Being confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
Personal Journey
I have found that there are days where everything seems to fall apart in my world. Nothing seems to work, plans fail, friends ignore you and family is too busy in your hour of need. This is the shaking of my foundations – particularly my being, self-worth and everything I am and stand for.
Last year was the greatest year of my life. When I mean the greatest year I mean the foundation was laid. To those close to me it was the worst year of my life. But God always sees things differently than man does…
For those 12 months was a season in my life I sometimes resented why God allowed it to happen. Yet in hindsight I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I did not experience what I was about to go through.
Everyday was difficult and the pain too hard to bear. The feelings of failure and the knowledge of credit card debt (the first in my life), and having no job for 6 months was too much for my pride, attitude and mindsets to bear. I was better than this I thought and my knowledge, experience and abilities far exceeded where I was at.
I must have wept every second day uncontrollably. On the inside I was suffering and inconsolable – and I was a Christian! Everything I turned to for peace, healing and comfort never worked. A dark cloud of depression hung over me and I eventually accepted counseling from the advice of my dad. During the worst days, all I had was my Bible as my promise of better days ahead to hold like a teddy bear as I cried myself to sleep.
Isaiah 28:16
Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem. It is firm, a tested and precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Anyone who believes in Him will not be disappointed.
It was during this period that the foundation was laid. Now the work and construction could begin. Every season has to end and this one eventually did. Today, I am stronger, wiser and deeply humbled by the work God has done within me. A transformation within me took place in my thinking that I must be completely His, trust and depend on Him for all I do in my life. My perspective has changed, worldliness gone, and my faith in God now unshakable.
My trust in the things of this world, my strengths and people has now been correctly placed on Him – where it belongs. All things really do work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes… (Rom 8:28).
Jesus – A Rock Foundation
No one can escape storms in this life. We too should not build anything unless we have found it in Christ. He is our rock which can never be shaken and nothing we build on with Him can fail. We should also build nothing that He isn't supporting.
Examine your life today and what foundation it’s built on. Believe me; it is well worth the time to consider it.
That is really inspiring and from the heart, I love it!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said - I am considering using part of what you wrote in an upcoming talk at my church (and will give you credit!). Thank you so much!
ReplyDelete