Sometimes I just look at nature, and God speaks to me through it. There is beauty and calmness in just taking in His creation, but even more so when the Holy Spirit reminds me of how His Word relates to creation.
David said in Psalm 23 that He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, and leads me beside the still waters. In Matthew 6:26 God literally said “Look at the birds of the air”. I imagine the people He was speaking to, had to actually look up. When He said “Look how the wild flowers grow” I imagine they got up and saw the flowers on the field and pondered on what He said.
Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth much more than birds? Can worry make you live longer? Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of them. God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. God will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?
Luke 12:26-30
Where many people think this world was made by a big bang, we have the privilege through the gift of faith to be in awe of the the workings of our God who is so wise and creative.
It’s so easy to get distracted when we are just going from one location to another, but you know how they say take time to stop and smell the flowers? May I propose that you stop and take in the flowers. Make room for God to speak to you through everything.
I was looking at this tree, its leaves, trunk, and branches, and it reminded me of John 15 where Christ said that He was the true vine, while God the Father is the gardener who cuts off the branches that do not bear fruit.
The wind was blowing on this tree, not too hard though. However, the leaves at the top of the tree started swaying, while the branches near the trunk didn’t budge. I started to think, I can only imagine a stronger wind coming and knocking off those branches!
Then, I was led to many passages about being rooted in Christ. This visualization helped me to realize just how important it is to not just be any branch, but to be just a branch, but one that is rooted so deep in Christ.
Being rooted in Christ helps us mature.
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
Ephesians 4:14
Guys, I literally was today years old when I realized that trees don’t grow from the base of the tree, but at the branches. (yes, me, a whole science grad lol)
Anyways, what I learned is that the more mature and stable wood is near the center of the tree.
Likewise, those who are new to the faith start out growing from the branches, but as you get closer to the Vine, Jesus, the more mature you become, and the less likely you will fall off, or be cut off. What’s beautiful about this Kingdom is that we are all supported by the Vine, both those who are new to the faith, and the ones who are deeply rooted in Christ! Yet, it is the ones who spend time with Him, seeking the nutrients of His Word, yearning to bear fruit from The Source that will deepen their roots!
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 NIV
I was listening to a podcast called “Knowing Faith” and they were saying how we who accepted Christ Jesus came into Union with Him (We are now ONE). However, Communion with God (genuinely spending time with Him) is what helps us to be rooted, and where transformation happens.
Being rooted in Christ keeps us strong.
Have you ever seen a person try to cut a tree branch with a butter knife???! No, because it won’t work!! Someone would need a power saw to try and cut it off! When you are rooted deep in Christ, your branch is strengthened, and the things of this word do not easily take you out! What used to be able to snap you in half, falls to the ground instead!
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7 NIV
Being rooted in Christ, in the Living Word, and in Prayer sustains and strengthens your faith. Paul even said that as we trust in Him, our roots will grow down into God’s love and keep us STRONG!
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 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 3:16-18 NLT
The winds of this life, the rain of hardships, the snow of persecution, or the hailstorms of warfare will come. But where are you? Are you a branch on the top of the tree ready to be snapped? Or are you willing to lay your roots down deep into Christ and not be shaken. You may feel all the things, but your roots in Christ will not let you be moved.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.
Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
joy-full 