THE HOUSE IDENTITY BUILT
The Foundation
Welcome to the first installment of our new series on Identity. I am really excited to see where this leads and what you think of my little pondering’s.
This exploration of Identity is being thought through via the metaphor of a house, its various components relating to the varying components within ourselves. You can read the blueprint of this Identity House from my introductory post here — (The House Identity Built).
This week we are starting below the ground floor — we are looking at the foundation, what we build our houses (or selves) upon.
The Foundation of a building is, arguably, it’s most important part. You can have the most beautiful house in all the world, but if it’s built on sand the rain will wash it away.
The foundation of what we build our lives and selves on is the springboard from which all our other components have their fullest and strongest expression.
So the question is: What should we build our identity on?
— TRUTH
While my answer to this has been informed from the Christian conviction, I truly believe this is universally beneficial to all. In my musings on Truth, I have come to personally believe that Truth is the ultimate foundation on which all people can safely build their lives and identities on.
THE TRUEST TRUTH
Truth.
My favourite word. It’s like rivers of fresh water — like strawberries in spring. It quenches the inner thirst of the soul, for we are all wired to seek it.
Truth is both universal and individual.
Science isn’t truth, only the exploration of potential truth. Yet truth goes hand-in-hand with fact — it’s provable.
While individual truth exists, we cannot live solely by it for we are not stable beings. Experiences change us, and in turn, personal truths change.
The truest truth must be higher than ourselves so it can be the anchor in the storms of life.
Truth causes us to look up and out, not only down or within.
The truest Truth must then be:
Immovable, stable and universal — applicable to all.
Compel us towards goodness — a positive force that serves for the betterment of others.
Truth is inherently linked to goodness.
The opposite of truth is falsity. Lies and deception are selfish acts to save ones own skin, to hide, and causes harm to the other. Its bed-fellow is cowardice.
Truth, then, is spoken in service of self and others. Truth builds up, encourages, and leads to freedom and justice. Its help-mate is integrity.
Building our lives on the foundation of truth is to orient our very being toward goodness — its ultimate practice being love.
BUILD YOUR HOUSE UPON THE ROCK
For believers in Christ, one of the central scriptures that talks about having a firm foundation is found in the book of Matthew. I have turned there many times over the years, and this story is the originating source for the metaphor of the Identity House.
Matthew 7: 24-27
[Jesus says these words as a type of conclusion to His famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’]
“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.
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
For me, the key takeaway to this exhortation is:
To hear truth, and
To put it into practice
The men in the story both hear truth. They both build houses. The only difference is that one put what he heard into action.
— Truth isn’t just a principal, it’s a practice.
If we are defining Truth as being an immovable and stable force that orients us towards goodness and betterment of self and others, it inherently calls us into action.
Truth is the beautiful marriage of deep knowing and honest action. It’s the conviction of knowing what is right and good and living that out each day.
Jesus’ ‘Sermon on the Mount’ is the central pillar from which He lived and spoke and taught others to do likewise. Not only are Jesus’ words truth, He is Truth in human flesh (John 14:6).
Jesus is immovable and stable and eternal — He is God.
Jesus is always working in justice and goodness for the betterment of others.
As Christians, we can build our lives upon, not only the word and life of Jesus which is truth, but the ultimate truth — the assurance of our salvation through His death and resurrection, and the freedom found in this life and the life to come.
. . .
We must build our lives on a firm foundation because the storms of this world are fierce. Wars, illness, deception, confusion, financial insecurity, fear — it’s too much.
The only way to remain stable in the shaking is to know, without shadow of a doubt, that your core — your foundation — is unmovable. Like a marble in a ball of play-doh, the outside may be molded but the center remains the same.
We must build upon the rock, and that rock is Truth.
What is your identity built upon right now?
Do you have that inner-stability when the storms come, or do you feel tossed to and fro by the waves?
Building our Identity on a solid foundation is imperative to living a healthy and whole life, one that continues in health over years and decades, because that’s really the aim, isn’t it? That’s why we pursue healing, so that our years will be spent well. So we can be a human being who can bless others because our cup overflows.
Build the foundation of who you are and what you do on the solid rock of Truth. It is immovable. It is steadfast and sure.
The lies and confusion may rise, the storms may thrash and beat against you, but if you are built on the solid rock of Christ who is Truth, then you will stand.
With so much love,
x Zara
I love this. You explain it so well! It can connect with and be understood by both a believer and someone who doesn’t know/practice the faith.
I used that Matthew verse as inspiration for one of my posts, titled “tomorrow never came.” I’d love it if you would check it out! It’s a creative reflection of myself, how I put my identity in the wrong thing (person) for a while, but realized there is much more I am destined for through Him.
So good, Zara. ♥️