The Needs of Followers: STABILITY
Matthew 7:24-27
As Tom Rath and Barrie Conchie continued their research into the needs of followers, they determined that STABILITY is another element employees desire to see in their leaders and organization.
According to CollinsDictionary.com, stability is “the state or quality of being stable, or fixed; steadiness, firmness of character, purpose or resolution.”
As I’ve travelled over the years, I have seen some fantastic buildings. It appears every city has one specific structure that is known for its architectural creativity or stately presence. The John Hancock building in Chicago is one of those buildings.
Q: What is one of the most impressionable buildings you have ever visited? What specifically made it so?
A few years ago, I, along with some other businesspeople, went on a trip to Chicago with the Calgary Flames to see them play against the Blackhawks. Part of the trip included a private breakfast in the John Hancock building. We entered the building and were led to the high-speed elevator. We went up for about two or three minutes to the floor where the meal was being served. I think it was somewhere near the 70th floor, but I cannot remember exactly. What I do remember is the view. Spectacular. We were fortunate to be there on a clear day and floor to ceiling windows gave us unobstructed complete views of the city and beyond.
PBS.org says this about the structure:
“…to keep such a tall building standing in the "Windy City," engineers had to make the enormous structure super stiff. How did they do it? The John Hancock Center is actually a super-tall steel tube. Steel columns and beams are concentrated in the skyscraper's perimeter, and five enormous diagonal braces on the exterior walls of the skyscraper give it extra strength in the wind. The skyscraper also rises from 40,000 square feet at the base to 18,000 square feet at the summit. This tapered design provides additional structural STABILITY (caps added) against wind forces.”
The building is 1,127 feet tall, and the foundation (caissons) reaches down almost 200 feet into the bedrock to prevent the 384-million-pound structure from sinking and becoming unstable.
I didn’t know these details at the time of my visit, but we were told the building was built to flex in the wind. It was built to sway and withstand the incredible winds that Chicago was known for.
Q: Before going any further, what thoughts do you currently have regarding the connection between a foundation and the size and stability of a skyscraper?
In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus says this:
“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.” (NIV)
In this passage, Jesus is giving those near him a lesson in “holy engineering”. He is telling a story of building a house to illustrate to us how we can create a strong business, secure our personal life, and grow in spiritual value.
The building will only be as strong as the foundation and the best foundations are built on the true ROCK of STABILITY.
Considering the John Hancock building and Jesus’ example, here are some additional thoughts to consider:
Everything above the foundation experiences turbulence (wind, rain, etc.)
The integrity of the entire structure is first determined by the stability of the foundation.
The height of a structure is determined by the depth of the foundation.
When the foundation is immovable the structure can flex and not fall over.
A strong foundation provides peace of mind, safety, and security.
A strong foundation built in the past will be able to hold the spectacular building of the future.
Q: Consider your “foundation for living” today. Are you trusting too much in your savings? The economy? Your ability to manoeuvre quickly and nimbly? Or is your foundation secure in the ROCK of STABILITY that is the teachings of Jesus? Be brutally honest with your answer here.
The next time you enter a building of significance, take a moment, and thank God for the foundation He provides you as you build the life around you. May you flex and never fall.
Prayer:
God, you are amazing. The stories in your word teach me many things. Thank you for today’s example of building on a secure foundation. Please forgive me for the times I have chosen to build quickly and on unstable footings. Help me take an audit of all areas of my life and reveal to me where I need to rebuild on YOUR foundation. Amen.
Blessings always and all-ways,
Steve Shrout
President
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attachedvis a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your own Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development and SPIRITUAL growth.
