Faith That Grows in Every Seasonනියැදිය

DEEPLY ROOTED:

I dropped my friend off at her house after spending the day together. As I began backing out of her driveway, I noticed something strange out of the corner of my eye—a huge oak tree was uprooted, lying on its side.

We quickly determined that a summer storm must have rolled through the neighborhood while we were gone. Strangely, other than a few scattered tree limbs and leaves dotting the ground, the large oak appeared to be the only casualty.

The next day, when a tree-cutting service came to remove the fallen relic from my friend’s yard, she asked the worker why this tree had been the only one affected by the storm.

His answer was surprising. He said that because of the elevation of the land, the tree had a constant source of water. The oak never had to develop deep, strong roots because the water was easily accessed near the surface. The bundle of roots pulled up from the ground was the extent of the entire root system for the tree. It was only a matter of time before a strong wind was able to blow it over.

The condition of my friend’s tree warrants reflection. Are we developing strong spiritual roots, or are we simply gathering what we can near the surface of our lives (experiencing Sunday worship services or listening to Christian music)?

It’s amazing what we can learn through the simple analogy of a tree.

For a seed to mature into a tree, it must first grow roots. Tiny fibers sprout from the seed and descend into the soil where they can access essential nutrients and life-giving water. As the sapling grows above the ground, the roots below must expand in proportion. (Roots act as an underground storage tank to aid the tree when water is scarce.) Although most roots are unseen, they are invaluable to a tree’s ability to thrive.

In the same way, our spiritual roots provide stability. They enable us to grow, mature, and eventually become beautiful displays of God’s splendor.

What about you? Are you developing deep roots?

Developing strong spiritual roots today prepares you to withstand the storms of life tomorrow.

REFLECTION:

What are some ways you can grow deeper in your faith now, so that you can withstand the storms of life later?

PRAYER:

Lord, show me where I have grown complacent or stopped growing in my faith journey, and prepare me for every life-storm that may be heading my way. Amen.