Not too long ago, I saw a news report about a house that had been built on a cliff overlooking the ocean. It was a big, beautiful house with lots of windows to take in the incredible view. When it was built, it was probably worth millions. But do you know why it was on the news?
If you saw the same story on TV, you know it is because erosion has eaten away a chunk of the cliff. A good part of the house is now literally hanging over the ocean. And no one can go inside to collect important belongings, because it is too dangerous. For years, people probably admired this house because of what they could see above the ground. They weren’t thinking that what was underneath the house could literally be swept away into the sea.
Foundations are important.
But because many of us are not contractors or architects, we often think that unless we are buying a house, we don’t need to think about them. However, the foundations of physical structures aren’t the only kind of foundations there are. You and I—all of us—have foundations to our lives. They were built by our parents, childhood experiences, education, etc. And though they started out as our parents’ responsibility, at some point—probably in high school or college—that responsibility began to transfer over to us.
We are responsible for the foundation of our lives. We get to choose if our lives will be built on things that last or if they will be built on things that temporarily feel good. We choose. And these choices are important factors that determine our future.
As I have shared before, this past year, my husband and I have been listening to some of the successful writers, thinkers, and creatives of our time. Whether on podcasts or webinars, there is an unlimited amount of interviews or talks online in which these people share the secrets to their success—the things that have enabled them to pursue greatness. And almost all of them have shared a practice of discipline in their schedule. The foundation of their success is built on things that may surprise you. They:
Exercise
Go to bed early
Wake up early
eat well
turn off their phones for part of the day
The things we overlook in our schedule, are the very things they attribute to their success. Where we used to think early bedtimes were for kids, these people are saying it is crucial to pursuing their dreams and purpose. The foundations they are setting in their everyday decisions are propelling them towards living fuller lives. And, the crazy thing is—all of these things, we can do.
Sure, we may not be able to hire a personal yoga instructor to come to our house at six in the morning, but we can find a class locally or online. We may not be able to wake up every morning to a smoothie made from imported enzymes and acai berry—but we still can eat a good breakfast. And, as hard or impossible as it may seem, we can all take some time off from our phones, and get to bed earlier.
Listening to these people talk, made my husband and I really think about our schedule. We both feel called to creative endeavors that we don’t have a complete vision for yet. But just because we don’t fully know where we’re headed, doesn’t mean we are not responsible to build the foundation for what God has in store for us.
So in January, my husband and I came up with a few changes to our daily schedule. During the week, we have a few “no TV” days, our bedtime is earlier, and we get up at six in the morning to pray together. We also added a “no phone after 9:30pm” rule.
Now, we haven’t perfected these disciplines. There are still evenings where I struggle to put my phone down, or we both lose track of time and don’t get to bed as early as planned. But, on days and weeks that we do this well, we are more able to focus on our goals.
As much as we need to be cautious about the foundation of a house we buy, we need to be that much more cautious about the foundations we are building in our lives. It is the decisions we make every ordinary day that will determine what we accomplish and give to this world.
What shape is your life’s foundation in right now?
What disciplines do you need to add to your life?
Would you like more from Melissaschlies.com delivered to your inbox?
If so, subscribe here.
We live in an age and culture where it’s so easy and “normal” to be undisciplined. Thank you for this reminder that we are called to something better!
Yes a firm foundation in Christ is very important and being faithful to what the shape of our life’s foundation in Christ is also important. So that we don’t lose sight of our priorities too.
A timely post for me. I just had to cut myself off of all phone apps (including disabling the internet!) because I so often find myself checking my phone compulsively. Thank you for the confirmation. I’m building a foundation!
Kate–Yes! I haven’t had to cut off my phone apps yet–but I have considered it more than once! I keep trying to remind myself to be in the present when I feel myself reaching for my phone too much!
Conviction as I read your post at 12:45am on my phone! This is something I need to consider in my life.
It is so hard, Heather–but so good when we can do it well!