By Scarlett Birge, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - “You must recognize that if you do not build your house upon the solid rock of Jesus, you will have nothing to stand on,” Dr. Joel Carwile, member of the Campbellsville University Board of Trustees and senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Athens, Ala., said.
Carwile, speaking at The Vine Feb. 2, read from Matthew 7:24-27, saying to build the foundation of life on Jesus in order to persevere through any adversity. He said the two choices in life are to build on the rock of Jesus or to build on the sand of Satan.
“If your life is built on sinking sand, you don't know how to trust,” he said. “It's not a stable foundation.”
He said beautiful things in life can be built but if the foundation isn't right it will be destroyed. When plans don't work out, trust in Jesus and follow him because He is in control. Life is supposed to be focused on being faithful and persevering through God Carwile said.
“You're going to get out of this experience what you put into it,” he said.
Carwile, who received a Master of Theology degree from Campbellsville University in 2009, said Campbellsville University can lay a good foundation for students but they have to be willing to be faithful and listen to God's call. He said trusting in God is especially important since the college life experience has been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You have to be willing to take that step out on faith,” Carwile said about choosing to make good decisions and not giving up when facing uncertainty and adversity.
He said being deeply rooted in faith is the key to being prepared for troubles and living a persistent life.
“You're going to have to face difficulties and struggles and tension for the rest of your life, but God orders our steps,” he said. “You better have your foundation right.”
More information about The Vine can be found at the Campbellsville University Baptist Campus Ministry Instagram page @cu_bcm and previous recordings of The Vine are archived on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZi_cmQ8b9pRMDq4IyTIuGw/videos.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 13,500 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.