Building on a Firm Foundation

Officially, it’s known at the Loma Prieta Earthquake.

To me, it will always be the World Series Earthquake.

October 17, 1989.

Game 3 of the World Series.  The Bay Series:  cross-Bay rivals the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s.

Just before game time, this 6.9 quake struck the Bay Area.

When the shaking stopped, 63 people had died and nearly 4000 were injured.

One of the worst hit areas was San Francisco’s Marina District.  Buildings collapsed, people were trapped, and fires broke out.

There’s a reason why the Marina area was so hard hit: its foundation.

This district was orignally part of San Francisco Bay. After the great earthquake of 1906 (7.8 in intensity) rubble was dumped into the bay.  Soil and sand was pumped into the area, creating new land for new houses.

The problem is that while most of San Francisco is on bedrock, the Marina District was built on rubble, sand, and groundwater. That’s what led to the collapse and loss of life.

It didn’t have a solid foundation.

Wow.

Such a reminder about things of the soul and spiritual world.

The Apostle Paul addressed this:

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.   (1 Corinthians 3:11)

After nearly sixty years of life journey, I can attest that Jesus, whom I strongly believe to be the living Son of God, is a firm foundation.  Others will disappoint us but He will not.

My current heart song is “How Firm a Foundation.”  This is my favorite verse:

“The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will

not, desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should

endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”

I invite you to lean on Jesus. He is strong and stable.

He is the firm foundation for your life.

What is your heart song? (The song that most touches your life).