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

God's Perspective

"Before the mountains were born,

before you gave birth to the earth and the world,

from the beginning to end,

you are God."

Psalm 90:2 NLT

Moses prayed to the God who always has been and always will be.  He pointed out that time loses its impact in the face of such eternity.  He also noticed that in the scheme of things, the life of man is fleeting, as a passing thought to God, like the life cycle of a blade of grass which is here today, gone tomorrow.  Moses also understood that the sin I try so hard to hide is perfectly apparent to God.  

What do these truths mean for me and the way I live my life?

Stress.  I see the second hand ticking by and compare what's left of the day to my list of things-to-do.  I ponder the time wasted in waiting and feel my blood-pressure rise.  Anxiety is forming like a tight ball in the pit of my stomach as I think of what little time I have left.

If God is not concerned with the matter of time-how long something takes or how long I must wait-why should I?  To Him who is perfectly in control at every moment of time, no matter how out-of-control I feel or how crazy life gets, it doesn't matter how much time passes by.  His plan is firmly in place.  With such a God as this at the helm of the ship of my life, I can keep my eyes trained on His masterful leadership and my thoughts focused on His amazing management of all things.

God is not concerned with the passing of time, so, as His child, the stress I experience in a clock-oriented world is none of my concern.

Cherish.  "Why do today what I can put off until tomorrow?"  I chuckle to myself as I repeat the mantra of the procrastinator.  I've come to realize that instead of assuming there will be another day, tomorrow is never promised and every moment is a gift that is meant to be cherished.  If God gave it to me, then there is good to be found in each passing tick of the clock.  

With the recent passing of two stalwart women of God who meant much to me and were still in the prime of their lives, I've come face-to-face with the reality that life here on earth is not as long as I think it is.  Add to this sobering awareness the fact that my father is on the slow decline of dementia, sometimes called "the long goodbye," and you can see that I am even more in touch with the precious nature of every minute I've been given.

Therefore, I am learning to be more intentional with how I spend my gift of time.  It is important that I live in the moment, being all there instead of always racing ahead to what is to come, what's next on the list, or how I'm going to handle this afternoon's challenges.  I'm growing in my faith as I take each minute as a gift meant to be treasured, putting into practice Jim Elliot's advice; "Wherever you are, be all there!"  

God has given me this moment in time with the hope that I would cherish it as the gift it is.

Authentic.  I ignore the enormous problem, the way I cope with life apart from God, all the hurts I wear like a comfortable sweater.  I pretend everything is okay even though the tears are always there, just under the surface.  I feel fragile as I attempt to negotiate my days, refusing Jesus' offer to take my burdens and nail them to the cross where they will lose their power.  Instead of letting Jesus make me whole, I try to fix myself in the only way I know how.

While I may fool others into thinking I'm A-okay, God knows my problems.  He sees the sin I try to cloak in busyness, selfless service and surface conversations.  If only I would know how secure I am in His hands, close to His breast as His well-loved child, I would cease trying to muddle through alone.  If I could grasp how vast is His love, I would run to Him with open arms, allowing Him access to every deep and shameful part of me.  He already knows and loves me deeply.  He just wants me to willingly admit to my need for Him and my utter failure at living life my way.

Since God knows my sin, seeing everything I try to hide yet loving me wholly, I can trust Him with my deepest secret failings.

From God's perspective, things look different.  Since He is eternal and time means nothing, life is fleeting, and my sin is not as hidden as I think it is, I can begin to live my life differently than I always have.  I can cope with stress in the shadow of the Almighty where it loses it's power, cherish every moment as a gift, and live openly and authentically before Him.  From God's viewpoint, way up high, my issues and problems don't look quite as big.  To Him, all things are under control.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can cherish each moment, being all there.

How do I pretend before a God who calls my bluff every time?

When do I let the stresses of life dictate my mood, forgetting that God is never worried?  

Method for Coping

"Hezekiah received the letter 

from the messengers and read it.

Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD."

2 Kings 19:14

Things looked bad.  Israel had already fallen to this arrogant aggressor and now he had set his sights on Judah.  All of her fortified cities were already under siege so it was time for Sennacherib, king of Assyria, to turn toward Jerusalem, attempting to sway the people's hearts away from their faithful leader.  If they turned against their own king, surely Judah would fall just as Israel did.

Instead of panicking or seeking advice from his advisers or attempting to further appease his enemy, Hezekiah chose a wise method of coping of which I can take as an example for hard times in my own life.

Go.  There are many sources to which I can turn in times of trouble.  There are people rich with insight and common sense who are ready and willing to dispense great counsel.  I also have many shrewd resources at my disposal which can be consulted in times of need.  Furthermore, I'm never at a loss to discover new findings from the latest scientific research that can provide fresh understanding into the root of my struggles.

Still, Hezekiah demonstrated the wisest action that can be taken in difficult times: Going to the Lord.  God is the only true Counselor.  No other source boasts wisdom that can ever compare.  Even the most insightful research is no match for the understanding that comes from the One who made me.

When I place all my eggs in His basket, expecting to receive the best answers from Him, He is faithful and generous in dispensing true wisdom.  (James 1:5-8)  There is really no other action which makes sense for me to take in hard times.  Still, I often fail to take such a simple step as running to my Father for help.

Just as Hezekiah went to the Lord, so I can make Him the foundation of my coping strategy for difficult times.

Unguarded.  I'm used to putting up a front, showing others what I think I should convey instead of being honest with how I actually feel.  Therefore, when it comes to the One who knit me together and knows each word before it even leaves my tongue, I tend to take the same tack. (Psalm 139:1-6) I find myself saying what I think is the right answer instead of telling Him how I really feel.  I often give Him platitudes instead of brutal honesty.  It feels better to say what I think He wants to hear instead of speaking the unbridled truth which could hurt His feelings.  

Thankfully, God is big enough to take my harshest criticism, to hold up under my biggest doubts and to stand firm even when I feel like I'm sliding into a dark abyss.  He is my Father who cherishes my deepest, darkest thoughts.  Even though He already knows what is going on inside of me, He prefers that I willingly share such intimacy with Him.

Just as Hezekiah laid everything bare before the Lord, so I can live transparently as I go through times that break my heart and strain my faith.

Glorified.  When I'm at a loss of what to do, it's natural for me to explore every possible avenue, making a list of pros and cons and choosing the solution that seems best for my situation.  It's easy to come up with my own plan of action when times get tough.  Often, I think doing something is better than waiting around for my life to completely fall apart.  It feels good to take positive action, doing what I think will help to turn my life around.

Unfortunately, anything I do under my own steam will only serve to draw attention to myself or the brilliance of mankind.  If, however, I waited on the Lord, looking to Him as the only way out of a tight place, He will get all the glory.  When God is allowed to deal with an issue in the way only He can, others will see that He alone is God.  When I limit Him by giving Him only partial dominion over my situation, not only will I be robbed of witnessing His amazing hand at work, but I will steal His glory.

Just as Hezekiah desired all the world to know that the Lord alone is God, so I can let God do as only He can in order to make the most of His name in all the earth.

My methods for coping are often self-destructive and not at all healthy.  When Hezekiah was in deep trouble, facing a conquering marauder who had the gall to mock the living God, this godly king demonstrated a great way of handling stress.  He went directly to the Lord, laying everything bare before Him and desiring nothing more than for all of mankind to know the might of the One True God.  His way of coping gives me an excellent example of how to handle trouble in my own life.  In fact I would say there is no better technique for managing stress.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will remember to run to God when the going gets tough.

How do I leave God as my last resort when times get hard?

When do I hide my true feelings from the One who loves me perfectly?     

Set Free

"Let those who fear the LORD say,
   'His steadfast love endures forever.'

  Out of my distress I called on the LORD;
   the LORD answered me and set me free.
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.
   What can man do to me?
The LORD is on my side as my helper;
   I shall look in triumph on those who hate me."

Psalm 118:4-7





 Artificial diamonds can be made by subjecting graphite to intense temperatures and pressures along the lines of 1700 degrees Celsius and 60,000-100,000 atmospheres.  This is equivalent to about 700 times the amount of pressure exerted on the Earth's crust by Mt. Everest.*  It takes a lot of pressure to create a diamond, but they are considered to be one of the most beautiful of gems.

My life is filled with stress and in fact, pressure is a part of modern life.  If I consider the time constraints, financial limitations, health restrictions placed on my life, coupled with the relational difficulties found in loving people and just my general exposure to an evil, dark world, I have a formula for stress.

The pressures of my world will not go away, but I have a secret weapon at my disposal to keep stress from controlling my life, sending me into a frenzy and ruining my health.

Call=Answer

Humans have been under stress ever since the fall of man, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sin entered His perfect creation.  As a result, I am now hard pressed on every side, just like that piece of graphite in the process of becoming a diamond. 

But I am not without hope.  When I call on God, He will answer me.  God told his people who were exiled to Babylon, living as foreigners in a strange land and under tremendous pressure that, "you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you." (Jeremiah 29:12-14a)

When the stress if overwhelming and I cry out to the Lord, He answers. 

Set Free

When God answers me, it is not with mere words of consolation.  He goes even further and sets me free from the bondage of worry, grief, anger, or any other stress that is threatening to break me.  I am not bound to these stresses!

Jesus came to His creation in order to set me free from the bondage of sin.  The stresses generated by an imperfect world threaten to rule me.  But Jesus said, ". . . if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)

It makes me think of a giant trash compactor.  I am trapped inside as the walls close in on every side with no hope of escape.  Then, I call upon the name of the Lord, and He sets me in an open space, free from the constraining walls.

I can live as if I'm in that open space, free from the stresses of this world, not because there is no stress, but because He is greater than the stress.  I can trust Him to save me from the great pressure upon me, but I have to call on Him.

When He answers me, He sets me free.  Will I trust Him?

His Presence=No Fear

Trusting God means acknowledging that His presence and power in my life are greater than all the things I have to fear.  Death?  He's overcome it.  Failure?  He looks at my heart, not my production value.  Loneliness?  He will never leave me or forsake me.  Loss?  My life and everything in it belongs to Jesus, it's not mine to lose.

Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed in his first inaugural address of 1933 to a nation plunged into the depths of a Depression that, ". . the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself."**  He may have had a point.  Fear can be my greatest enemy, driving me to perform desperate, foolish acts, sending me into a state of panic where my decisions are frenzied and without reason, and taking a toll on my physical health. 

It has been said that fear is the absence of faith. And without faith, it is impossible to please God!  When I give in to fear, I am sending the message that not only do I not believe God can save me, but I don't even believe He exists!  If I truly accept as true that He exists, then I must recognize that He is bigger than anything I can face. 

If I trust God, I will not fear.

Stress is a part of life that cannot be avoided.  But as a follower of Jesus, it does not have to rule me.  I can call on the Lord and He will answer me.  When He answers, He sets me free from the sin that pressures me.  And in His presence, I have nothing to fear.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can live my life as one who has been set free.

How am I living as a slave to fear?

Where am I not trusting God for deliverance?

*http://hypertextbook.com/facts/1998/IleneWeintraub.shtml

**http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5057/

photo from   salsolastock.deviantart.com

Peace on Earth

The Word became flesh 

and made his dwelling among us. 

We have seen his glory, 

the glory of the One and Only,

 who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

We live in an age of relativity:  If it works for you and doesn't hurt anyone, do it.  Each person chooses their own path and own set of morals and beliefs.  There is no absolute, universal truth.  What's good for you may not be good for me.  In reality, there is such a thing as Truth, and He came to earth as a baby many years ago, heralding the coming of His Kingdom.  

At Christmas time, I hear a lot about peace.  Christmas cards proclaim "Peace on Earth," we wish each other peace, and it is a time when all of mankind (at least in the western world) is expected to come together in peace, even if its just for one day.  But Jesus is not a promoter of peace.  He did not come to bring peace into the world, at least in the way we think of it.  When the angels proclaimed the Messiah's birth those 2000+ years ago, they declared,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)   Does peace come to those who reject the  Babe in the manger who has now become the Savior of a lost world?  There is no fence sitting when it comes to Jesus.  Either you are for Him, or you are against Him.  So where is this peace on earth proclaimed by the angels?

In my heart and mind   There is no peace apart from God.  When I am following my own path, determining my way, and thus rejecting God's plan for my life, I will not have peace.  Peace comes when I turn all things over to God, trusting Him for all my needs, choosing not to worry about anything.  As a follower of Jesus, this kind of peace is readily available to me.  With all the last minute preparations that need to be made in the few days left before Christmas, I choose the peace of Christ to reign in my heart and mind.

With God  Is it possible to make friends with our enemies?  Terrorism has divided this world as never before, yet there are those who still believe that if we're nice to our enemies, they will work with us and become our friends.  Diplomacy is not a sound foreign policy, in and of itself, because our enemies hold different beliefs, values and understandings of this world.  It is the same with me and God.  I am His enemy, and no amount of sweet talking will get me into His good graces!  But I do have hope in Jesus. When I accept the gift of salvation that came through Christ, taking the punishment for my sins, then my relationship with God is repaired.  "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1) Now I am free to worship God and relate to Him on an intimate, one-on-one basis.  This Christmas, I choose to celebrate the peace I now have with God.

With Others  The idealized version of Christmas shows an extended family sitting around the tree opening presents, delighted to be in each other's presence.  Unfortunately, in reality, this is not always the case.  Much of the stress of holidays stems from the fact that we are thrown together with people we have a hard time getting along with, or maybe don't even like, and then we are expected to have a wonderful time.  This is impossible with me.  But with Jesus, it is actually possible to have peace within my relationships with others.  In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called peacemakers "blessed," and said that they would be called the sons of God.(Matthew 5:9)  Peace is a hallmark of those who follow Jesus, because it is His calling for me to live in peace with those around me.  But this can only happen if I set aside my hurts, desires and pride, and put the best interest of others before myself. Only then will peace rule in my relationships with others.  When I am surrounded by those I may struggle with this Christmas, I choose the peace of Christ to rule in my relationships.  

Where is this peace on earth that the angels proclaimed that first Christmas morn?  It is in my heart and mind, in my relationship with God, and in my relationships with those around me, thanks to the "little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay."  

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that peace will rule in my life, even when strife and chaos is swirling around me. 

How can I let go of things that bother me for the benefit of peace in my relationships with people?

Where do I take for granted the sacrifice Jesus made so I can have peace with God?