Rooted in Christ

The recent storms that passed through our area, including hurricane Helene, left vast devastation in surrounding communities. The flood was so unexpected and so destructive, the waters and the high winds (some say over 150 miles per hour) took down homes, hillsides, huge boulders, and so many trees. Small trees one would expect, but big trees, ancient trees that had strong roots holding them fast for hundreds of years, were uprooted.

The featured photo is one I took of a tree that fell on a house across the street from our church. It fell during Helene. It is massive and towers over me. I took a photo of it not knowing it would lead to this post.

If we aren’t rooted in Christ, when life’s storms come, we can just as easily be overcome as this tree was. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7 ESV).  You may ask – What does it mean to be rooted in Christ? Like a tree, with deep roots, we are called to grow so fully in Jesus that we produce fruit, not for our own glory, but for God’s glory.

 

Rooted in Christ @DDuPreeWilliams #faith #RootedInChrist #writing Share on X

LIFE’S STORMS WILL COME

Here’s the thing—storms will come. We weren’t promised an easy life. The world is a rough place in which to live. It seems it gets darker with each passing day. But Christ Himself left us these words, I have said these things to you, that in me you may gave peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33 ESV).

What better place to be rooted in troubling times but in the One who is The Prince of Peace? About 700 years before the birth of Jesus, God gave Isaiah a message about the coming Messiah. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 ESV).

FINDING PEACE IN THE STORMS

That same Jesus said these words: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV).

When we stay firmly rooted in Christ, He will provide His peace in life’s storms. And as we grow in our faith in Christ, we will produce fruits.  And we will produce the fruits of the Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV).

I know it sounds simplistic and easy. I also know it isn’t easy. We live in a fallen world. But when we remain rooted in God’s Word, when we read our Bibles daily and talk with God through prayer, it makes eternal things come to the forefront of our minds and hearts, and earthly things move to the background. Jesus tells us, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26b ESV).

Stay rooted, my friends.

Blessings, y’all!

 

I didn’t know this song. Apparently, it was written for this school. Fitting for this post.