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47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. Luke 6:47-48 NIV 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Heb. 6:19a NIV Last week I found myself hanging 300 ft in the air staring at three good pieces of gear in solid rock, and wondering one singular thought, “Will it hold?” Chris and I had journeyed to the Organ Mountains in Southern New Mexico to practice our trad climbing skills. The Organs are an area that is well known for its remote wilderness setting and long approaches. I had just lead about 100 ft of a stellar crack and was running out of the right size gear so I quickly but carefully constructed an anchor that would support both mine and Chris’s full weight. As I leaned back onto the anchor, I was confident that it was solid and well constructed, yet it still occurred to me what a huge commitment trusting this anchor was. My life was literally on the line. Jesus spoke often of being certain of one’s foundation, and the Apostle Paul refers to hope in Christ as an anchor firm and secure. In the first century the religious crowd was looking to many things for their hope and security. They had placed their trust in their works, in their heritage, and in their traditions, but their hearts were far from God. None of these things could save them. They were trusting their eternal destiny to a foundation built on sand, an unstable and useless anchor. This is so often true of religious people today. I’ve conversed with so many who truly believe that if they are just a good person they will go to heaven. Church pews are filled with those who are trusting in their religiosity to make them right with God. There is only one foundation, one anchor that is true, and will stand the test of time. In the words of the ancient hymn: My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand ; All other ground is sinking sand. I’m so grateful for climbing anchors set firmly in solid rock, but I’m infinitely more thankful for Christ the Solid Rock, the anchor for my soul. May you live each day with the unshakeable certainty that your life is firmly anchored to Jesus Christ.