You may be standing tree-top tall, but when the winds of adversity blow, will you topple? Not if your roots are deep.
I was watching the trees swaying together in the wind this morning. Long slender trunks moved in unison to the music of the wind. Far above, they lifted bare arms to the sky, with smaller branches fluttering faster. As the tempo of the dance intensified, even the hefty old trunks began to move. So strong, so tall, so heavy! What would keep them from crashing over?
Roots. The older the tree, the deeper and stronger their roots.
Jesus talked about roots. He said that plants growing in rocky places with little soil would not last long for lack of strong roots. They are like people who receive God’s words with joy but fall away when trouble comes.1 They have no roots, nothing to keep them grounded.
So how do we develop strong spiritual roots that keep us from withering in difficult times?
Our new life begins when we accept the truth of God’s word planted in us – that Jesus’ death and resurrection brings us forgiveness and eternal life. As we received Jesus as our Lord by faith, we continue by faith to trust His daily guidance and teaching. Our trust is rooted in Him as He helps us grow stronger in our faith.2
We learn to lean on Christ’s direction and wisdom in everything instead of on our own ideas.3 We acknowledge that we are weak by ourselves, but His strength works through us.4 His living water and bread of life nourish our soul, just as rain and good soil help plant roots grow.
Best of all, we bask in the sunshine of Jesus’ love. Here’s how that works: God strengthens us with power through His Spirit in our inner being. Our hearts become a place where we welcome Christ to settle in and feel at home. Then we begin to take hold of the love of Jesus, who has loved the complex width of our personhood for so long. His love reaches down from the heights of heaven to the depths of our soul. His love surpasses all we know.5
In times of trouble, that is how we become truly rooted and established — in Christ’s love.
1 – Matthew 13:20,21 2 – Colossians 2:6,7 3 – Proverbs 3:5,6 4 – 2 Corinthians 12:9,10 5 – Ephesians 3:16-19
Wonderful word for today!
Love you! Keep writing😊
Thanks for your encouragement, dear Kim! Love you too! Yes, will keep writing, Lord willing. He’s given me much to share. 🙂
So good JoAnne – we need our roots growing deeper in the days ahead. He who endures to the end will be saved. Love and Hugs.
Thanks, Jeanne. Yes, being rooted in God’s word and our relationship with Him is such a source of strength and hope – just what we need these days.