Destruction is the costly outcome of neglected maintenance.

      “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.”

     Matthew 7:24-27   New International Version


     I want to put a spin on this that I'm not sure if I've ever heard a preacher do before. So often it seems this is used to focus in on the house on the rock. I want to focus on the house on the sand. In my minds eye I can see these 2 houses sitting side by side in a beach front residential area. Identical houses. They were built the same, by the same builders. Then they were bought and moved into by different families. As happens often, storm after storm comes through this beach front community. Every time, each house stands, "undamaged". Until one day a hurricane comes through. One house stands and one falls. Why? They are right  next to each other, they are identical, they have both survived storm after storm. The reason is, the family in the standing house did maintenance to their house after every storm. Checking for water damage and cracks in the foundation, repairing leaks and filling cracks. When they saw signs that a big storm was coming they took precaution and boarded up the house, sandbagged and reinforced their foundation. Whereas the family in the house that fell, took it for granted that the house had survived every other storm, so this one should be no different.
    The house that fell did not fall in one day or in one storm. Erosion ate away at the foundation, making the weight of the house crush in on itself. At any point in time, that family could have called in an expert to repair the foundation, and restore the house to it's original state. They could have done the research and done the work themselves. They could have asked a friend to help them out. Instead they chose to do nothing. Its the lack of maintenance that caused the house to fall. They probably saw their neighbors maintaining their house, and preparing for the storms. They probably laughed at them. I can see them saying; "Why are you wasting your money?" "Why are you wasting your time?"  When you take the stability of your home, or your health or your faith for granted, you are guaranteed to be overwhelmed by the consequences.
      Just because you have knowledge that you can confess your sin and you will be forgiven does not give you license to commit the sin. Would you knowingly damage the foundation to your home just because you can pick up the phone and call a repair man? What is the cost? In a Money based society we all think about the cost of maintaining a vehicle or a home to get better gas mileage and better utility bills. We need to put just as much thought into maintaining our relationship with God. Strengthening our spiritual foundation.
      When you find yourself off the path, and realize your in quicksand and your foundation is eroding away, you have 3 options.
1) Sit still, accept where you are, and slowly sink.
2) Freak out. Whether that means partying it up with the best of them, or defiantly trying to get out on your own. Either way you cause yourself to sink faster.
3) Admit you stepped off the path. Call out to God and to godly friends and family. Grab hold of the rope they throw you, and let them pull you out.
     What do you chose to do? Are you willing to make the commitment to to maintain your foundation? Do you know your foundation is in danger? Are you ready to repair it? Take that 1st step. Reach out for help and grab hold of the hand that reaches back.