Roots are important
by Jill Southern
I am fascinated by trees especially very tall ones and very old ones. Recently I visited Kew Gardens and traversed their new treetop walkway. It was worth climbing 118 steps to enter a canopy of unique trees and enjoy a spectacular view over Kew. It was, however, down in the tunnel afterwards, where you could see the roots, that I was most impressed. To understand how trees work we needed to go underground and see the strong supporting structure without which there would be no food and water for the tree to grow.
It made me think about bearing fruit for the kingdom. We need first to be rooted and grounded and firmly established in our personal faith in God so that when the storms come we shall not be shaken. In the storms of 1987 a group of seven oak trees in Kent was reduced to one oak tree, as six of these trees could not withstand the bashing from the weather.
Paul writes, ‘and after you have done everything, stand’ (Ephesians 6:13). We will only be able to stand in the coming storm if we have strong and healthy roots underpinning our faith and if we’re trusting in God alone. What do your roots look like? Are they being fed on the Word of God, nurtured by the love of God and watered by the one who said he who drinks of the water I shall give him shall never thirst again (John 4:13-14).
Our roots and foundations re very important. The verse ‘Unless the Lord builds the house the builders build in vain’ (Psalm 127:1) not only applies to churches and ministries, it also applies to the house of our life. The wise man built his house upon the rock so that when the floods came the house stood firm (Matthew 7:24-27).
Are our roots and foundations today in the rock, which is Jesus?
Prayer: Lord Jesus I know that to face the coming season in my life I need to be rooted and grounded in my faith and be trusting You. I need to be anchored strongly in You so that I can’t be shaken. Please help me to grow daily in Your love, Your word and Your power. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Jill Southern is the founder of Ellel Ministries Pierrepont and directed the work for 21 years. She has recently stood down from that role but still teaches on the NETS programme and has the passion to train and equip God`s people to fully walk in their destiny and calling. She is the Regional Director for Ellel Ministries International in South East Asia and China and is also on the Executive Leadership of the ministry.
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