Seek: Rooted in Christ
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:7
My family has a portable hammock that we have taken all over Oregon. We’ve set it up on the beach, under tall pines, and on our back patio. One of my favorite things to do is to lay in the hammock and just look up, up, up at trees so tall I can’t see the top. I love to watch them sway in the wind and to watch the rays of sun shining through.
My grandmother’s house has big tall pines all around it, and I used to be afraid when it would get windy that they would topple and break. It’s not impossible, but I’ve never seen it happen there. Why? Because the trees have strong roots.
They have spent years growing stronger, soaking up nutrients from the earth, and growing roots deeper and wider. They stand tall and rooted so that when adversity comes, they do not falter.
The Bible is has several beautiful passages about trees and roots and vines. Thousands of years later they are some of the ones that speak most clearly to my tree-loving soul.
“Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with the mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted amoung the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” Psalms 1:1-3
When we as followers of Christ spend time rooting ourselves in him, we grow strong. Our roots will sustain us and keep us standing strong when troubles come our way. If we spend time soaking up things of this world, we often find ourselves frail and easily bent.
Trees offer so much their surroundings, as well. Tall strong trees can bear fruit, offer shade, and provide shelter to creatures great and small. We, too, can offer fruits, comfort and shelter through God’s love overflowing from us.
Take heart, my friend, if you are feeling frail today. I have seen sad houseplants or flowers in my garden go from droopy to flourishing when given the proper doses of nutrition. Reach to the living water and soak up all the sun has to offer you today, and know you too can grow strong roots.
May you Seek + Sojourn more,
Teddi Jo
