Before You Rise Higher

Yesterday, there was a major emergency in Midtown Manhattan. Along East 42nd Street, police officers, firefighters, and emergency vehicles surrounded a high-rise building under construction. Two structural columns had buckled, several floors were sagging, nearby buildings were evacuated, and streets were closed. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

The building, once part of Pfizer’s headquarters, is undergoing a major transformation from offices into apartments. The exact cause is still under investigation, but early reports suggest the building may have buckled as new floors were being added to the older structure.

It is a striking reminder that before anything can rise higher, what is underneath must be strong enough to carry it.

The same is true in our spiritual lives. How often do we ask God to add another floor to our lives? We pray for new opportunities, greater blessings, stronger relationships, spiritual growth, and a fresh beginning. We ask God to take us higher. But sometimes, we are trying to build a new future on an old foundation.

We want peace while holding on to an old grudge. We want a healthy relationship while carrying the wounds of the past. We want spiritual growth while keeping the same habits. We ask God to open new doors, but we resist allowing Him to repair what is underneath.

God sees what we cannot see. We look at the outside, but He examines the inner structure. He sees the resentment weakening our hearts, the fear bending our confidence, the hidden sin placing pressure on our souls, and the old mindset that cannot support the new life He wants to give us.

Lord Jesus said that the wise builder “dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.” When the flood came, the house could not be shaken because it had been built well (Luke 6:48).

Notice that the wise builder dug deep. Digging is not always exciting. It is slow, hidden work. It means repentance, forgiveness, prayer, discipline, honesty, and surrender. It means allowing God to reach beneath the surface and strengthen the places no one else can see.

So, if you want to rise higher, do not rush the construction. Let God first transform what can no longer support where He is taking you. Build your foundation on the Rock, so when the blessings come, you will stand firm.