by Jim Yackel

Created on: January 19, 2011

We're all familiar with the folktale involving the three little pigs who decided to create for each of themselves a place of residence. The first pig desired to construct his house of straw, so he could finish the job quickly. Pig number two decided to make his house out of sticks so he too could complete the task with minimal effort invested.

"I'll make a house of bricks" the third pig chimed in. "It will take more time, but I want to make it strong." So, as we know, Number Three set about building using the aforementioned bricks.

The story goes on to describe how the Big Bad Wolf went to the first pig's abode and huffed and puffed and blew that quickly constructed tract home down. The terrified Piggie Numero Uno then skee-daddled over to Number Two's quickly constructed shack thinking he would find security and safety. Of course, we know that the Big Bad Wolf also proceeded over to the edifice of the second pig and commenced to huffing and puffing that firetrap made of sticks into non-existence. Now homeless, the two pigs ran to Number Three's well-built house which was strong enough to withstand Satan-er, I mean the Big Bad Wolf-and all three then lived in security.

I can draw the analogy that the third pig was a man of faith in Jesus Christ. Pigs One and Two were deeply invested in this world and didn't want to spend the time to accept and then grow into a knowing and nurturing relationship with Christ. The third pig utilized the services of the reliable and reputable home builder Jesus to build over time a solid foundation for his earthly home that would be carried into his eternal mansion. The first and second pigs lacked that life-saving and life-giving faith in the Lord Jesus and quickly constructed shacks that required a minimal life investment but were succeptible to the destuctive breath of Satan-oops, I did it again, I mean the Big Bad Wolf-and were nearly consumed by his toothy jaws into death.

As their lives tumbled down around them like the houses they quickly constructed, the face of mortality stared the two pigs in the eyes and sent them running to the house that was built with faith, care and love. The home that pigs One and Two were compelled to run to was built by the third pig who used the solid brick and mortar foundation that is Jesus Christ. It is the home with the mortgage that was paid in full over 2,000 years ago on a cross on Calvary's hill. There are no property taxes due on this home, nor will there ever be. This home only grows in value and is not affected by the economy or fluctuations in the Real Estate market. You will never owe a dime, so there will never be a foreclosure if times get tough as you cannot default on a loan that never existed. Try and try as he certainly will, the Big Bad Wolf cannot blow this house down.

With acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you will be ready to move in to this home that is a strong tower, and it is fully furnished with everything you'll need. And, this home grows in value because while it is brick in this eartly realm, it will one day be made of gold in the eternal!

Sticks and straw are fectless against a strong breeze. Likewise, sticks and straw are unable to resist flame here on Earth and in Heaven. Brick and gold are sturdy, reliable, and will protect against powerful wind and ravaging fire. Isn't it better to build with faith and build to last than to merely construct for instant and temporal gratification?

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