What’s Your Sand Castle Look Like

What are you building today? What’s your life dream and goal? Do you even have one, or are you just in the grind?

It’s raining here in Franklin, Tennessee, been raining for days, predicted for ten more, and I’m sitting with my journal on the front porch, looking at my to-do list: wax Wendy’s car, repair the string lights, wash windows, plant the herb garden, wash my truck even though it’s raining.

And this thought hit me: I really like things a certain way. Nothing wrong with that. It reminded me that we all are building sand castles. Have you ever heard that phrase?

Soon, high tide comes in and it’s all gone.” We came into this world with nothing, and we will leave the same way, every single one of us, and if we’re wise, we’ll build our sand castles knowing high tide is coming.

The question isn’t whether the tide comes. The question is, what are you building that will still matter after it does?

The Apostle Paul said, “I have learned to be content in whatever state I am — I’ve had much, I’ve had little, I can do all things through Christ.” Notice that word: learned.

Contentment is something you practice, something you grow into, and Paul learned it in prison cells and shipwrecks, not in a comfortable life where everything was going his way.

I think we stress large over temporary things, the project that’s moving too slow, the platform that isn’t growing fast enough, the sand castle that isn’t as impressive as the one next door, and yet God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, people, those are the things that actually survive the tide.

I’m just sharing here and promise I’m not trying to elevate myself. But here’s the prayer I wrote in my journal this morning: “God, help me focus on building Your kingdom, not my sand castle that’s going away soon enough.”

Sometimes the most honest prayers are the shortest ones.

So I wanted to offer some ideas that may help practically. Inspiration that doesn’t go anywhere isn’t worth much.

For starters, try starting your day with the end in mind, the real end, and ask yourself, when I’m gone, what do I want to have mattered?

Put people before projects, because your sand castle doesn’t talk back to you, doesn’t love you, and when people and projects compete for your attention, choose the person.

Also hold your stuff loosely. I know you have heard this before, but are you doing it? Concerning stuff, use it, enjoy it, but don’t worship it. And certainly don’t fret and stress about it - it’s temporary and you are going to leave it behind soon enough.

Consider Investing in things that outlast you: mentor someone, disciple someone, have the hard conversation that changes a marriage, plant something in someone else’s life, because sand castles wash away but seeds keep growing.

And pray the uncomfortable prayer: “God, help me build Your kingdom, not mine”, because surrender is where freedom actually lives.

You’re going to keep building, and so am I, and there’s nothing wrong with the sand castle. Just build it knowing the tide is coming. Build it knowing what actually lasts.

Build it knowing you came here with nothing and you’ll leave the same way, but in between you had the chance to invest in something eternal.

So, what’s your sand castle look like right now?

And more importantly, are you building anything the tide can’t touch?

GOD, I’m writing this on a Friday. For so many, they live for the weekend. Help us all enjoy the journey, smell the roses along the way, enjoy the sun, go outside, breath the air, call someone who we need to check in with, mend a relationship, love someone who’s not so easy to love, forgive those who don’t deserve it, give when it’s not been earned. Help us finish well. IJNIP amen ♥️