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We spent a few days in the mountains, the raw workmanship of God in nature is breathtaking.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalms 19:1 NIV
Before heading home, my daughter finds a small flowering plant and picks it, stem and all. She put it in a cup, filled the cup with soil and a splash of water. Her new plant secured a prime location in our vehicle for the drive home. She optimistically proclaimed while buckling up, “I hope it has enough roots.” Ten minutes later, the stem had folded in half, the entire plant wilting before her eyes, “not enough roots” she mumbled, “not enough roots.”
When observing a plant, the things we see visually are useful; plants need sunlight and water, leaves gather sunlight, and stems transport nutrients. But the unseen determines the long-term success of the plant. Sometimes after a massive windstorm, I will see majestic 50-foot-tall trees toppled, and it is puzzling to imagine something that could grow so large, so wide, and so strong could literally blow over. But as you survey the tree and your eyes land at the base, you will discover the source, shallow roots.
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7
My daughter’s thoughtful transport failed because the plant had no roots. Without deep spiritual roots, we too will wither, struggle to thrive, and topple like the evergreen with shallow roots. The storm is coming, or you are in the storm, the roots you build in Jesus, in your personal relationship with your King and Savior, will let you endure the hardships of life and, be refined through them. That is difficult for me to write because it rings so loudly in my ear that it is almost deafening.
I wish I could pour my heart out to you over a coffee or tea, so that you could know all my faults, my failings, and be reassured that you are not alone but most importantly rest in the love of Jesus and our victory in Christ. You are never too late to establish deep roots in Jesus.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19
Love and peace to you this day from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Amen