Luke 6:39–49

Be Still: Lord, I do not just want to hear your words, I want to live them. As I quiet myself before you, speak clearly and help me trust and obey. Amen.

Read: Luke 6:39–49

Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? (v46)

Encounter: From Sundays to Mondays – When the Storm Tests Your Foundations.

Jesus ends this teaching with a series of uncomfortable images: blind people leading each other into a ditch, someone complaining about a speck in your eye while a plank sticks out of theirs, trees revealing their true nature by their fruit, and houses that either stand or collapse when the flood comes.

I've often found it easier to judge other people’s faith than to let Jesus examine my own. It is simple to stand in the 'Sunday space' and point out what is wrong with the world, the church or other Christians. But Jesus’ question cuts through all that: 'Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?' It moves me from talking about change to letting God change me.

A few years ago, this became very real. I had been leading a small church for 15 years. I believed my identity was in Christ, but slowly it had become tied to being 'the leader'. When my wife and I sensed God asking us to step down, we obeyed. At first, it felt like rest, but soon the storm hit. Without the role, title or income, it felt like the ground had disappeared beneath me. I realised how much of my identity had been built on the wrong foundation.

Through counselling, prayer and wrestling, the Spirit took me back to basics. I had to dig my foundations deeper into God, scripture, prayer, quiet obedience and unseen service. Slowly my identity realigned, not around a role, but around being a child of God. That is still the foundation I am learning to build on.

Apply: Where are you more comfortable noticing 'specks' in others than letting Jesus deal with the 'plank' in your own life? Ask the Spirit to show you one attitude, belief or reaction that needs work. Then choose one way to put Jesus’ words into practice – in how you listen, apologise, serve or respond.

Devote: Lord, show me where you are asking me to change. Help me build my life on your words so I can stand when storms come.