Rooted & Grounded
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 17:8b (NIV)
Climate change is a buzzword that has been floating around for a few decades now. But these last few years, it has become a leading topic in the news, especially during the summer months. This is certainly the case in the Northern Hemisphere, as summers are increasingly marked by severe heat and drought. Not only we humans but also trees and plants bear the brunt of the extreme weather. The drastic weather patterns seem to leave us humans struggling to adapt while many trees and plants take it in their stride. They have discovered ways to override their default settings during periods of drought and have developed strategies to help them cope. Trees, it is known, activate tolerance pathways during adverse weather conditions. Many plants establish deep roots – tap roots that help them access deeper groundwater. Others who are unable to do this temporarily pause growth or become completely dormant.
Planted By the Water
When we experience adverse situations in our lives, do we settle into our default setting and allow the challenges we are facing to overwhelm us and cause our hearts to fear? Do we look to man for the answers? Do we look to man to rescue us? Or do we send out our tap roots and access the living water, the sustenance the Lord has freely given us?
We can so easily succumb to our default and linger there. The Lord had an answer for the people of Israel when they insisted on allowing their default setting to guide them. When they did not trust in the Lord, but turned to idols. He showed them, through the prophet Jeremiah, that they were missing out on His blessings because their trust was not in Him.
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.” Jeremiah 17:7-8a (NLT)
When we make the Lord our hope and our confidence – not man, not any idol- we will not be bothered by the heat, the fire we go through. We will not be worried about the drought, the lack we are experiencing. We will not fear. We will put our confident trust in the Lord. Our Sustainer. Our Provider. Our Protector.
When we put our trust in Him, we will be blessed. We will rejoice in our Lord and Saviour, in whose love we are rooted and grounded. Whose love strengthens us in times of drought so that we will bear fruit for His glory.
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. Ephesians 3:1 (NLT)
Reflection:
When you experience adverse circumstances, do you succumb to your default setting? Will you put your trust in God? He will sustain you.
Prayer:
Lord, You know the challenges I am facing are overwhelming me and causing my heart to fear. I surrender my challenges to You. I trust You, Lord, to sustain me and provide for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
