Broken? Bending? Standing Strong!

Blessed is the person who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord! Blessed is the one who meditates on God’s Word day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1)

 

Paying attention to a healthy tree, what do you notice right away? We see the tall, solid trunk, the strong branches, buds, blossoms, fruit, and the leaves. Now, imagine (or maybe you’re actually seeing) then describe an unhealthy or diseased tree!  What we don’t see is the root system of these trees. The roots go deep underground, providing stability for the tree.

Thanks for sending us your experiences of “tree watching” (by commenting below)!

During LENT we learned and developed some practical and helpful ways because we also want to grow in our relationship with GOD!  ! Like trees, we need strong roots that have been developing over many, many years. Trees and people will go through many seasons. Some may go through seasons of drought, rainy, or very stormy ones as the roots strengthen. The roots stabilize the tree through many environmental challenges and allow it to stand tall. GOD’s Presence, Spirit, and Word keep us firm and standing! The roots hold firm when a tree or a person is in a storm and shaken and blown.

 A tree with  strong roots will survive. After the storm, the tree may be battered, have broken limbs, and lean to one side. But it’s still standing.

No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. (Proverbs 12:3)

 Our faith is like a tree. Our roots will not grow strong if we reject faith and follow ungodliness. We will be weak in life’s challenges. On the other hand, when/ if we follow God’s instruction and study His Word, our faith will be strengthened, and our roots will grow deep. Proverbs 12:3 says the roots of the righteous will be strong and unmovable.

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

   Paul’s encouragement to us in the New Testament is to grow deep roots in our faith concerning Jesus. Colossians 2:7 tells us to be rooted and established in our faith. Ephesians 3:17 says that we will be rooted and grounded in love when Christ dwells in us.