Growing Deep Roots

This post was originally published on October 1, 2015

"'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.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat

or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green,

and they never stop producing fruit.'"

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT

Who doesn't want deep roots so we don't fall apart when facing hard times?  We all do, but how do we cultivate such an advantage?  Here's the answer as God revealed to the prophet Jeremiah.

Trust in God.  It's stamped on our money.  The phrase, "In God We Trust" first appeared on the two-cent coin in 1864 in response to an Act of Congress, followed by the passage of the Coinage Act in 1873 which opened up the way for all coins to bear such a proclamation.  This act was no mindless formality but an intentional attempt to acknowledge God as a nation in response to several letters from citizens across the land during the Civil War.  One such letter stated, in part, that "No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense."  And another claimed that "From my hearth I have felt our national shame in disowning God as not the least of our present national disasters." *  Our leaders at the time recognized the importance of trusting in God.

When I do the same, realizing He is the one Source of strength, power, wisdom, protection, and everything, I'm placing all my weight on Him, resting in His provision and shelter (Psalm 91).  When I think of Him as only one of many supplies, choosing to rely on my own wherewithal or that of others, I am failing to fully trust in God.  Either I place all my eggs in His basket, or I keep my options open in case another offer comes along.  The first shows that I believe He is able to satisfy every need and all my longings, while the second reveals my doubt in His power.

If I want roots that grow deeply, I must fully and wholly trust in God alone.

Hope in God.  It's easy to lose hope in such a dark world in which we reside.  I can become discouraged when trouble comes my way, especially when it seems there is no let up, as if it's my lot in life to suffer.  When enduring such difficulty, I can begin to wonder why I'm here, what is the point of life, what's my purpose.  Then I remember Who is in control of all things (Romans 13:1).

God is a good God (Psalm 136:1).  Everything He does is thoroughly and completely good.  Additionally, He is a God who is always at work (John 5:17).  He doesn't slack on the job, or forget someone's needs, letting them fall through the cracks.  Instead, He is constant and trustworthy.  Therefore, when I keep my eyes on Jesus, I have every hope in the world no matter my circumstances, because I know good things are happening.  The only missing factor, then, is my perception of His beneficial acts.  I often don't notice what He's up to because I'm looking in the wrong place.  It reminds me of a friend who just returned from a trip to New England.  She and her husband were disappointed to see the lack of fall colors but realized that if she looked closely, she could see a kaleidoscope of hues hidden beneath the green.  It only took an eye to see for her to enjoy the show.

If I want roots that grow deeply, I must hope in God, looking for all I believe He is doing.

Confidence in God.  It's easy to doubt.  It's not so much that I don't think God is up to the job, but that I think I will somehow mess things up, or that I see all that could go wrong, or that I've become cynical and jaded, preferring to brace myself for the worst instead of hoping for the best.  Then I waver in my faith, failing to walk forward in confidence with the strongly rooted certainty that God will come through no matter what.  I hold back, indecisive and vacillating between wanting to trust God and skepticism.

I notice a difference when I'm around someone who has confidence in God.  Their prayers are self-assured, as if they are simply endorsing what they believe God is at work doing.  They step out in faith often and speak with boldness, knowing that God is providing the words they need and fully backing them up.  In contrast, those with a lack of confidence result in prayers that are weak and reserved, as if they don't want to bother God or ask too much of Him.  They rarely if ever do anything beyond their own abilities or power and speak timidly, worried they may offend someone.  I'd rather live like the confident Christian.

If I want roots that grow deeply, I must place my confidence in God alone, not doubting in His might.

Life is difficult and I often face hardship.  If I want to learn to cope with the stresses of life, I would be wise to heed God's advice by resting fully in Him, expectantly looking for the work of His good hands, and walking forward with assurance that He's gone before me and has my back.  This is how to grow deep roots that will always reach His living waters.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to place all my weight on Him.

When do I hold back, afraid to let go of some semblance of control?

How do I doubt that God will come through?  

     

* http://www.treasury.gov/about/education/Pages/in-god-we-trust.aspx

Worthless Paths

"'Ah, stubborn children,' declares the LORD,

'who carry out a plan, but not mine,

and who make an alliance,

but not of my Spirit,

that they may add sin to sin;

who set out to go down to Egypt,

without asking for my direction,

to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh

and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!

Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame,

and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation.

For though his officials are at Zoan

and his envoys reach Hanes,

everyone comes to shame

through a people that cannot profit them,

that brings neither help nor profit,

but shame and disgrace.'"

Isaiah 30:1-5 ESV

I panic.  Things are looking bad and I've got to do something before it gets worse.  I must act in order to slow the progression of pain and suffering.  Problem is, all I do is worthless and leads to disappointment and humiliation at the realization of how foolish I've been.  How did I get here, unsettled, confused, and bewildered at my predicament?  

It's all my doing.

Contrary Plans.  I do what makes sense to me.  I act according to what comes naturally, going the way that most pleases me and is within my realm of comfort.  I stay away from anything that meddles with my desires or stretches me outside of my normal sphere of ease and well-being.

Trouble is, every solution I'm drawn to is contrary to God's best for me.  He has a plan that goes in the opposite direction as mine (Galatians 5:16-18).  When I'm in charge of deciding what is best for me, I'll choose wrong every time.  If I instead let God's indwelling Spirit lead me as I surrender all to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, I'll find the game plan changing drastically.  While I tend to seek solutions that diminish suffering and choose the path of least resistance, God may utilize the difficult as tools to shape my character into the form of His Sons' (Romans 8:28-29).  While I look for self-serving and self-preserving options, God has a plan that glorifies His own name (Jeremiah 9:23-24, Isaiah 42:8).  While I lean toward the well-worn, smooth and crowded way, God's is less-traveled and far more difficult (Matthew 7:13-14).

My plans are contrary to God's plans so I must always seek His path upon which to travel.

Undirected Alliances.  I look for someone who can help me.  I need to know how to proceed, how to navigate through these uncharted waters.  I have no idea what to do, how to go forward, which direction to take.  Therefore, I go to the experts in the field, those who've gained experience in doing what I've never done, who are confidently extolling the virtues of their expertise.  I want the best on my side in order to give me the best possible outcome.

Trouble is, every source of help I'm drawn to is far inferior to what God has in mind.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, a grafted-in branch who has the benefit of deep roots supplying endless grace and untold wisdom, I can let His Spirit guide me to those who will help me in the way He has in mind (Romans 11:17).  When I instead lean on my own understanding, gravitating toward the wrong people who have the wrong goals and intentions, I've missed out on the blessing of letting God choose for me.  Since I have the advantage of a Helper who can point me to those who give godly advice and have kingdom direction, I would be wise to seek such guidance.

My alliances are with those who can't help in the same way the Spirit-directed partnerships can.

Mislaid Trust.   I put my eggs in the wrong basket, trusting in the kind of protection that seems wise but is far from God's best for me.  It seems good and smart to invest in insurance coverage, to go to the powerful who have clout enough to make a difference, or to place my trust in those who have connections that can help give me a leg up.  I check the expert's opinions and follow their outline to the letter.  I'm confident I've given myself the best possible chance.

Trouble is, I've failed to consult God regarding His master plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11).  If He holds the blueprint for the ongoing construction project that is taking place within my heart, I may hold up progress if I act outside of His intentions and follow a different, contrary set of plans (Philippians 1:6).  I may even undo some of the work that He has done, setting back my progress as I selfishly seek my own ways.  If I want to see godly growth, I must submit to His plan for me, cooperating with what He has in mind for my life (Romans 12:2).  

My trust is mislaid when I put my faith in that which is outside of God's will, failing to consult God for His sovereign plan for my life.

Decisions made in a state of panic or desperation are not usually good ones.  When I feel burdened by suffering and difficulty, I look for a way out.  Unfortunately, I don't always consult God's indwelling Spirit, an advantage I've gained by trusting in Jesus as my Lord and Savior (John 14:26).  When I ignore this wonderful benefit, I tend to choose plans that are contrary to His, make ungodly alliances, and place my trust in the wrong places.  In these ways, all I do is pointless and leads to disappointment and worry.  What a worthless path to take!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stay connected to Jesus and sensitive to His Spirit's leading.

When do I go off on my own, choosing my own path?

How do I lean on those who don't know God?        

Progression of Faith

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"What shall I return to the LORD

for all his goodness to me?"

Psalm 116:12

There is nothing more hurtful and aggravating than to be ignored or misunderstood, especially in a time of crisis. On the flip side, it is especially endearing when someone takes the time and effort to understand my dilemma, to feel my pain, to care enough to listen.  It makes me feel valuable and like I'm worth the time it takes to comprehend my situation.

God is always faithful to show this kind of loving kindness to me.  Even though there are billions of people crying out to Him, He is big enough to listen to each of us.  Therefore, my pleas for help never fall on deaf ears.  His sensitive hearing encourages my dependence on Him, and as I see with my own eyes how He is faithful and dependable, I learn to trust Him more and more.  When I put my faith in Jesus Christ and enter into a personal relationship with Him, I will find there is a progression of faith that takes place.

Rescue.  The crisis hits, the attacks come, the worst nightmare plays out.  I feel like the whole world is against me, like I can't catch a break, as if there is some kind of curse on my life.  In the midst of my despair, I take a chance and reach out to God, trusting Him even a tiny bit to help, to offer some kind of assistance, to spare me complete destruction.  

A miracle-of-the-heart is born.  Deep inside I sense a glimmer of hope, a white light flickering in the darkness of my soul, a feeling that everything will be okay despite the enormity of the problem I face.  Comfort comes as my confidence in the future returns (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).  Even though I felt ready to end it all, like there was no other choice but to succumb to the forces of evil, my Father of compassion lifts me out of the muck and sets my feet on solid ground (Psalm 40:2).  I remember my worth and the strength to carry on returns.  It was worth taking a risk and calling out to God in the midst of my suffering.

When I trust in God enough to believe He can help me, I will find salvation come in many different ways.

Restoration.  I never thought I'd walk in peace again, that my soul would be restored, that the tears of my eyes would ever dry up.  But here I am, back in the land of the living, so to speak.  

Even though I spent some time wallowing in self-pity, focused only on what was wrong, overwhelmed by the tragedies of life, my faith in the God who is above all things has returned.  Despite the fact that I was on the edge of sanity, close to losing my battle, soundness of mind and wholeness of health has returned.  While my heart wavered as doubt became my mantra, a firmness of heart came back.  Now a steadiness of step has resumed as God has restored my faith in Him.

As I receive salvation from the God in whom I trust I will discover restoration, and my faith in Him builds.

Response.  How do I respond in the face of such rescue and restoration?  What can I give to a God who has everything?  How do I react when I experience the hand of God at work in my life?  It seems the more I see of Him, the more I want to place myself in His hands.

At the beginning of this walk with Jesus, I didn't really know much about Him.  I was feeling my way through, learning what it meant to live in companionship with Him.  Since I wasn't quite sure, I didn't place a whole lot of faith in Him.  Over time, as I saw His faithfulness, I placed more and more of my trust in Him.  I also found more for which to thank and praise Him.  Before I knew it, I was more and more dependent upon Him.  I expect by the end of my life I will more fully realize just how fragile is my life and how much I need Him.

When I see God save me in so many different ways, receiving restoration, I can't help but respond with even more faith in Him.

Faith is not stagnant, staying at one level for all of my life.  Instead, I discover that the more I witness His rescue, experiencing restoration, I respond with even more faith in Him.  This is the progression of my faith as I walk with Jesus through thick and thin.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to let Him work out the latest crisis in a way that will bring glory to Him.

How do I back away from God when things get hard, letting today's crisis overcome my faith?

When have I experienced a return of wholeness and health, and what was my response?