Be Blessed!
by Gunvor Rekstad
This is one of my favourite Bible verses, where a person is compared with a tree, and we have a mini story about a tree. What’s so special about this tree? It has to do with where it’s planted. And it has to do with the roots, and how this tree survives heat and drought.
Reading about this tree reveals the biblical understanding of what blessing is, and what it isn’t. What does it take to be blessed? It isn’t to live a life without heat or drought. It isn’t about worldly riches, not about success or fame, not about avoiding all crises and troubles. On the contrary, heat and drought are included, which is life’s reality. And this is what makes the difference, how we stand when heat or drought hit us. It’s about our roots and where we’re planted, where we have our confidence and whom we trust in all kind of situations.
Someone on a course once commented: “So this means as long as you trust the Lord, you’re always blessed, whatever the circumstances!” It’s vital to know this. It’s all about my relationship to Jesus, and whether I choose to trust in Him, whatever my life’s road map looks like, even in times of heat or drought. What makes the difference between this tree and other trees are the roots and where they draw the water from.
To me this shows how really smart it is to trust in the Lord – in the middle of everything. Instead of fear and worries you focus on the trustworthy One, and life’s heat and drought won’t make you wither or stop bearing fruit. The choice to trust in the Lord makes the difference.
Prayer: Jesus Christ, thank You for the opportunity to turn to You and put my trust in You, whatever the situation and the circumstances. Help me to choose to draw from Your living water instead of from my fear and worries. Help me to rely on Your steadfast love and everlasting care in times of need. Amen.
Gunvor Rekstad has been the director of Ellel Ministries Norway since 2005. She is a mother of three, has six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She was involved in teaching, prayer ministry and Christian counselling for many years before becoming involved in Ellel Ministries. She also loves photography and has published four books.
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