Foundations Of Stone

Foundations of Stone

I am planning to build a Temple to honor the name of the LORD my God, just as he had instructed my father, David. For the LORD told him, “Your son, whom I will place on your throne, will build the Temple to honor my name.” . . . At the king’s command, they quarried large blocks of high-quality stone and shaped them to make the foundation of the Temple. 1 Kings 5:5, 17

Since she started middle school, Nathan’s daughter, Hannah, has been bringing home more complex math homework. Remember word problems—taking abstract math concepts and applying them to real-world situations? “A train leaves city A at 11:00 at 17 miles per hour, while a bus leaves city B at . . .” When Hannah sets up the word problem correctly, she is one step closer to the answer. But if she rushes through the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division integral to the solution, the answer will still be wrong. The foundational math skills she learned in elementary school are principles she is now building on and are crucial to her success.

Solid foundations are critical in all aspects of life, whether it is constructing a building, learning the fundamentals in a sport, or mastering another new skill. Did you notice that Solomon used “high-quality stone” for the foundation of the Temple? That high-quality stone would not be noticed by the people who came to worship, but it was critically important for the integrity of the building. It was also important to Solomon because he felt he was doing something necessary to honor the name of the Lord.

The same is true for you. You can strive to be the best role model possible by volunteering at the soup kitchen or participating in charitable events, but your real influence comes from the foundation of your character. People will see how you handle things when problems tackle you and notice the difference.

Uncommon Key > The fundamental things you’ve been told since you were young—to tell the truth, act courageously, stand firm for things that matter—form the foundation of any future influence that you may have, like it or not. Keep honing those traits so they become “high-quality stone.”