Like a Tree…
Posted By Wendy on August 16, 2010
Chris and I love to walk and ride our bikes on the parkway trail, where the cottonwood trees grow tall and strong along the river. About a month ago, someone set fire to several places along the trail, and the dry underbrush was completely destroyed. Seeing the charred remains saddened us, especially seeing a few of the trees that gave up the struggle to survive the devastation of the flames. However, for the most part, the trees closest to the river have shown a remarkable resiliency and are flourishing. It reminds me of the tree spoken of in Psalm 1:3, “…planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.”
Could it be that these trees, with their roots freely drawing water from the river, were better able to resist the heat of the flames? Could it be that the more saturated we are in the Word and prayer, the more we will be able to withstand the trials, temptations and persecutions that not only “may” come, but instead, we are assured “will” come? A friend once said that the only way we will be able to stand in the last days is when the pressure on the inside is greater than the pressure on the outside. I want to be so filled with God that even in the most difficult circumstances, I will be a Kingdom carrier, bringing hope to others, instead of giving in to despair.
I want to be like the tree of Psalm 1, planted by the river, my roots reaching deep, deep down into the living water. Especially here in this high mountain desert, where water is precious, and during the heat of summer, the rains are few and far between. During a desert season, I am forced to stretch my roots deep below the surface, deeper still to find water, because in desert places and seasons, what appears on the surface isn’t always indicative of what is reality. Indeed, far below the surface of the parched ground of our times and seasons, is a rushing river of water so full of life that just one drink causes a refreshing rush of joy. And the beauty of it is that I am invited to continue to drink freely, as much and as often as I need. This invitation is for all, all who have ears to hear the invitation of Heaven to “come and drink, all who are thirsty”…this River flowing from the throne of God, our eternal Source, the Word made flesh, the Light of the world.
Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5
We have a heavenly invitation from the Shepherd of our souls, to abide in Him, to drink of the water of life He offers. Will you come? He is closer than you know. He knows your heart, and He is longing for fellowship with you. Will you come? The psalmist writes, “Be still and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10a. Let’s allow Him to lead us beside still waters. Only the Love of God will satisfy. If my roots are in another stream, it will soon run dry and my leaves will wither and die, and when the fires of trials come, I will quickly burn out. But with the never-failing, eternal Source of Life flowing from the throne of the Almighty Creator, the Author of Life, I will flourish and be fruitful. The way to abide? Prayer. Worship. Time spent in the Word, not just through study but in long, loving contemplation of the One Who is the Living Word, an ongoing conversation with God in the “secret place”. Without time in the secret place, without the refreshing of His Presence, I cannot know how to truly love, and all of my efforts are as a clanging cymbal and a sounding gong…and without love, nothing I do, no matter how impressive of a ministry, will truly have impact for the Kingdom.
“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house. And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.” Psalm 36:7-9
My prayer for all of us: “…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19
Jesus, Your words are spirit and they are life. When trials come, I want to be so saturated in the Word of God, in prayer, with the Love of God filling me up to overflowing. Oh, to be rooted and grounded in the Love of God!
In His Love ~
Wendy
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