Deep Roots

Ephesians 3:17 “Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”

Storms make trees take deeper roots—Dolly Parton

While visiting one of sweetheart’s sisters and her husband, we visited a lovely park in Greenville, SC. There we saw a tree that’s roots had grown outside the ground, along an embankment. It was fascinating to look at, a visual reminder of just how intricate the root system is that holds a tree upright.

These same roots grow beneath us as we learn to trust in God’s love for us. They anchor us to the place He needs us to be. So often we are trying to grow where He didn't plant us. We try to send down roots into things of the world, leaving us weak and prone to crashing to earth in the storms of life. We lose sight of the strength guaranteed us through our trust in Christ.

I have always been rather shallow rooted in my haste to do things my way instead of His way. Because of that, I find myself crashing to earth on a rather regular basis.  Yet He, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, keeps setting me back upright, allowing me the chance to send my roots down into the firm foundation of His Love.

We tend to ask for our lives to be free of storms. We hide ourselves away from all that would cause us to bend and sway. Yet in those storms, we will find ourselves growing stronger, putting down deeper roots as we overcome adversity. The storms are vital to our existence, meant to teach us to that only through His Love can we become all that He wants us to be.

Dearest Adonai, Thank You for this holiday week and time to spend with family. Let us all remember how deep our roots go into Your Family of believers. Let us be mindful of the intricate system of Love, Mercy, and Grace that holds us together, keeping us strong during the storms of life. I pray for Your continued blessings on all the traveling friends and family who are coming together for this Thanksgiving weekend. Let our laughter be shared freely and without anger, bringing joy to those who are burdened and peace to those who are separated. Give those who are in war zones Your Comfort and keep them under the wings of Your Guardian Angels. These things we pray, in the name of Christ Jesus, Amen

copyright2012 Michelle Welch, Breath Of Life Women's Ministries
photography by Michelle Welch, all rights reserved
scripture from NLT Bible