Withstanding the Storm
by Malcolm Wood
The other day I was watching the effects that the very strong winds were having on the surrounding trees. They were being violently tossed to and fro, swaying and bending, as gust after gust of what seemed to be an ever increasing strong wind buffeted them. The wind showed no mercy, small and large, young and old, all trees were suffering from its onslaught. Yet the trees, although under great strain, withstood the power of what was coming against them. How was that possible?
Several reasons why the trees were able to withstand the storm came to my mind. They were healthy, strong, well-rooted and flexible (not rigid). Being well rooted not only gave them security, but their roots gave them access to the nutrients and the water in the ground that they needed, along with sunlight to enable strong and healthy growth. The trees’ flexibility enabled them to sway and bend with the wind, without being structurally damaged or changed by the wind.
Perhaps, we, as Christians, can draw some analogies from this to help us stand firm in the storms and challenges of life. We need to ensure that our lives are rooted in Jesus, that are lives are committed to Him, and that we acknowledge Him as our primary source of life and strength. As our relationship with Jesus deepens, then our roots in Him will deepen, and we’ll become stronger and more secure, as we take in more of the 'nutrients' of God’s love, the Holy Spirit, God’s Word, and prayer.
Paul prayed for the Christians at Ephesus that Christ would be more and more at home in their hearts, as they trusted in Him. He prayed that their roots would go down deep into the soil of God's marvellous love (Ephesians 3:17). The challenge for them, and for us, is to make certain that we’re giving Jesus His rightful place in our hearts.
Then, as we become more mature in Christ, as Paul says, ‘We will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is Christ’ (Ephesians 4:14-15).
In these days of confusion and uncertainty, challenge and conflict, let’s heed the warning given in Corinthians 10:12 ‘So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!’
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, please help me to get rid of things in my life which are preventing me giving You more and more room in my heart. Help me to go deeper into You, and become stronger in my spirit to be able to stand firm against all that Satan would bring against me, so that You can have the glory, Amen.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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