Standing Tall: Finding Strength in Deep Roots

During a storm, the sight of trees swaying back and forth can be unnerving. It is particularly unsettling seeing them sway over our car or next to our house wondering if it will snap and damage our property.

A couple of weeks ago, we had a pretty severe rainstorm accompanied with heavy wind and even some hail. And those trees were swaying…

Needless to say, some trees fell. Despite losing some leaves or a few branches, most did not.

They stood strong because of their roots.

A tree’s strength comes from the depth of its roots not from its diameter or its height.

The roots dig deep into the earth anchoring it when the storms come. Roots spread wide looking for water to nourish and strengthen the tree.

Trees fall when their roots are shallow and malnourished.

The same is true for us as people, especially as Christians.

This truth is highlighted in Jeremiah 17:7-8:

“But 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."

As Christians, those who have repented of their sins and put their faith in Jesus, we can stand tall during struggles and storms because our confidence is in God.

Although our confidence is in Him, it does not mean we will not face the storms, the heat, or times of drought. It means we will stay connected and strong because of the nourishment we get from the Lord.

Jesus echoes this when He talks about being the bread of life, the living water, and the vine.

Jeremiah reminds the Jews about the upcoming days of disaster (Babylonian occupation) and addresses the tension between trusting in humans or God.

For us today, staying grounded on God and His Word is extremely important. People are coming at us from a million different angles about what truth is and what is right or wrong.

The world is in chaos, but we know that even in times of heat, worries, and drought, there is hope in Jesus.

I have heard people wonder how people without Jesus can face all the trials and challenges that exist (sickness, betrayal, deception, death, etc.). Some people criticize Christians as looking for a crutch to get through life, and I am okay with Him being my crutch.

But let me reframe the conversation, instead of saying He is my crutch, let us say I am rooted in Jesus.

The deeper I go in my relationship with Him the more anchored I am. The more anchored I am the stronger I am during storms.

Let us dig those roots deep so we can stand strong with Jesus.

Anyway, I was just thinking…