Established. Deeply Rooted. Upheld.
I have always been fascinated with the Joshua Tree, not only because of its biblical name and symbolism but also because of its root system. This tree has a top-heavy branch system, but also has what has been described as a “deep and extensive” root system, with roots possibly reaching up to 36 ft away.
That is massive.
It is also an awesome visual of how Christ loves us. Deep and Extensive. He establishes us through every trial we face. He holds us up through those trials and roots us deeply in His strength.
He is my foundation, my “dirt and clay”. It is up to me how deep I want my roots to grow. It is up to me how far I want them to reach. It is up to me how tight I want to hold onto His promises.
Because He is holding onto me for dear life.
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” –Ephesians 3:16-18
He has already provided all of the fertile soil I need.
He has already provided all of the strength I need.
He has already provided all of the courage I need.
He has already provided all of the resources I need to face whatever earthquakes this life has to throw at me.
All I have to do is root myself in His faithfulness, bloom where I have been planted and know that HE IS NOT SHAKEN..
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This is beautiful Heather. Thanks for sharing.
“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:2-5
All good things,
Charina
I’d never heard this before! Beautiful truth, Heather. YOU are beautiful. You’ve been on my mind a lot these last few weeks. XOXO
Heather,
Great way of describing how we all need to have our root system go deep in Him. If we do not when the strong winds come we have something to grab onto and that holds us in place and upright……The flower fades and the grass withers but the root system stays in place, in tact and fully functioning while the rest of the world sleeps.
Take care,
Barbara†
@madreminutes
The end of verse 18 always leaves me in awe of Christ’s immeasurable love, it reminds me of the great love He has for me, love this passage for so many reasons!
I have a passion for trees. I adore the whole circle of the seasons. How they blossom to how they empty to start anew. I find them a wonderful reminder of the glory of God. Deeply rooted reaching for the heavens. I want that to be me, deeply rooted in God reaching for the heavens.
Thank you for sharing this xxx
“He establishes us through every trial we face.” AMEN!!! Thank you for this beautiful post!
Love this post…a storm may blow some limbs off our Joshua tree but those roots will not be touched. The part I love is that Joshua tree goes with us and each trial has only buries Him deeper and deeper into the soil of my heart.
My husband always says don’t plant your tent stakes too deep we are sojourners here. We have pitched our earthly tent in many different countries and it is the roots of the Joshua tree that gives me the courage and strength to pull those stakes up and be flexible. Thanks for that reminder since we are about to pull the tent stakes up again and move to California to a new ministry at 65. Some say you need to retire, some doubt we should do this move with the economy’s shape so frail. But it is those deeply buried roots assuring us He can take care of us that gives us courage to obey Him.
Thank you my courageous wise hearted sister for posting and reminding us to continue to get to know Him and water the Joshua tree with faith.
Thank you, Heather. I’ve never considered our roots nor the “nutrients” and life for us underground in that way before. You speak from a place of true heart-wrenched knowing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Amen!
really a different view .. a very simple understanding …and the way you have written about our faith to be so deep..is just awesome.. i just adore your writings.. simply because they guide me and they provide answers every time im about to give up on my faith…thanks a lot …