Do you ever wonder why it’s so easy and expected for us to prepare for certain situations in life, but we don't always prepare for the hard-times that we know are coming? Particularly, why am I (and most believers) so stubborn when it comes to preparing for the storms of life. Hard times are going to come, we are promised that. John 16:33 says “I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles, but be brave! I have defeated the world!” It depends on how you’ve equipped yourself, as to whether or not you’ll endure. These storms will either make you or break you. God gives us so many examples in His word about what we must do. This concept has been coming to me in different ways over and over for months now, but they’ve all been related to trees & roots. These reminders have scared me a little because I don’t know if God is preparing me personally, or if He just wants me to share with you what’s on my heart.
So through all of this I’ve become obsessed with trees. I’ve researched roots and which trees have deep roots or shallow roots. (I’m so thankful we have a “visual” God, He knows I need a picture in my head of what He’s trying to teach me.) A tree that develops a deep, strong root structure can withstand heavy winds without falling to the ground. A tree depends on its roots to reach deep into the soil to search for the water and nutrients it requires to survive. As much as 30 feet of root fibers have been found in one inch of soil when examined with a microscope! In drier areas, roots penetrate to a much deeper level, seeking moisture. Some desert shrubs have roots that extend downwards in the earth as deeply as 230 feet!
Our Church recently went to a Casting Crowns concert and Mark Hall talked about the album cover for Thrive, which is a picture of a tree and its roots. (yes God, I’m still listening!) The album cover was inspired by the Constitution Tree in Geneva, Alabama.
This tree is believed to be 250-300 years old. There’s no way it could’ve survived with shallow roots. The roots are believed to be so deep that they run beneath the river nearby. And so, because of its deeply nourished roots, it has withstood storms & drought for all these years.
I don’t always listen to God when life is good, I think this is true for most people. If He doesn’t speak to me through a sermon or through reading His word, He will get my attention somehow. It may be through a big storm. I just pray that when He does get my attention, my roots will be so deeply grounded in Him, I’ll be strong and able to stand with the faith I need to survive. I heard it said like this recently, “Jesus saves, but the Word keeps you alive”.
The best way to be rooted in Christ is to bury ourselves in His word. Digging our roots deeper and deeper into good life-giving soil, and drinking from the living waters gives us a lifeline to Our Heavenly Father.
“Happy the man who... delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, whose leaves never fade" (Psalm 1:1, 2-3).
So through all of this I’ve become obsessed with trees. I’ve researched roots and which trees have deep roots or shallow roots. (I’m so thankful we have a “visual” God, He knows I need a picture in my head of what He’s trying to teach me.) A tree that develops a deep, strong root structure can withstand heavy winds without falling to the ground. A tree depends on its roots to reach deep into the soil to search for the water and nutrients it requires to survive. As much as 30 feet of root fibers have been found in one inch of soil when examined with a microscope! In drier areas, roots penetrate to a much deeper level, seeking moisture. Some desert shrubs have roots that extend downwards in the earth as deeply as 230 feet!
Our Church recently went to a Casting Crowns concert and Mark Hall talked about the album cover for Thrive, which is a picture of a tree and its roots. (yes God, I’m still listening!) The album cover was inspired by the Constitution Tree in Geneva, Alabama.
This tree is believed to be 250-300 years old. There’s no way it could’ve survived with shallow roots. The roots are believed to be so deep that they run beneath the river nearby. And so, because of its deeply nourished roots, it has withstood storms & drought for all these years.
I don’t always listen to God when life is good, I think this is true for most people. If He doesn’t speak to me through a sermon or through reading His word, He will get my attention somehow. It may be through a big storm. I just pray that when He does get my attention, my roots will be so deeply grounded in Him, I’ll be strong and able to stand with the faith I need to survive. I heard it said like this recently, “Jesus saves, but the Word keeps you alive”.
The best way to be rooted in Christ is to bury ourselves in His word. Digging our roots deeper and deeper into good life-giving soil, and drinking from the living waters gives us a lifeline to Our Heavenly Father.
“Happy the man who... delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, whose leaves never fade" (Psalm 1:1, 2-3).
Lord help me to grow my roots deeper and deeper, so that I can withstand any trial that comes my way, and when others see how I handle the storm, You’ll receive all the glory.
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