Ever been in a house with an unfinished basement? I recall a very old custom home that had one of these. The finished part of the basement was well constructed. Through the years you could see that the occupants wanted more space so they made a door into the deep crawl space. On the finished side of the door the foundation was solid and the room was well lit, clean and orderly. On the other side of the door you had a less stable foundation, and it was dirty and dark. Kind of creepy to go through that door. Like an old scary movie where all the ghosts and monsters lived.
 
This came to mind as I was meditating on the parable of the 2 foundations Jesus told. One person dug deep, got all the dirt out and replaced it with the stones of the Lords commandments. He based his life on those stones and used them in dealing with every situation. He did not retain the dirt or the ways of the past but discarded them. When trouble came, he did not respond in the old ways, he did not fall from resentment or bitterness because he did not entertain them anymore. His basement was clean with no boogie men, guests could come in there and be comfortable.
 
The other person got lazy and thought this would be too much work. He did not think it was important or necessary to complete the basement or deal with the hidden parts of his life. He entertained guests that should not be in the house of the godly. Careless thoughts that grew into large fantasies, some which eventually evolved into a sin that brought death to the spirit that then brought in more demons. Old hatreds fears and suspicions arose, anger and hatred came along and joined in, all while this person went to church. At church he could disguise his inner struggle but when he got home the attacks began anew. The trouble got worse and eventually the house was torn apart because the foundation was incomplete and therefore exposed to rot.
 
A half hearted effort will bring disaster in this life and the next. When the Holy spirit comes knocking we must allow God to deal with the things that hinder us no matter how difficult. There is no other way to peace and safety. This I remind myself.
 
God bless
frank