Down Deep

The Preacher and I planted a tree in the backyard, when we moved into our house, eight years ago. The nursery where we purchased the tree directed us to soak it when watering, in order for the roots to grow deeper. Quick drinks would cause roots to stay on the surface of the ground, they warned, resulting in shallow roots. Trees that have shallow roots tend to lose their footing and fall victim to tumultuous gusts of wind.

I was thinking on this recently while weathering some storms in our family’s current season of life. It seems that we often times display luscious foliage and fruit in comfortable times, just to find ourselves later withered up, dry, and devastated when the circumstances of life send gales of uncertainty or strife. Excitement and passion for the Kingdom wanes as the weeds of the flesh choke them out. We grow weary and weak in our walk with the Lord...and we wonder why?

The answer is simple as I’m finding this reality in my own life:

I just don’t drink deeply enough.

“Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14) To be drenched in the Gospel is to let the amazing hope of the Cross permeate all; to have our longings quenched by the satisfying truth of Christ’s love and forgiveness. We can drink deeply by meditating on the Gospel day and night.

The Word of God is my nourishment, but sometimes I merely take little sips, or a swig when I am feeling parched. I wait until I’m feeling the affects of being thirsty or hungry before I run to the living Word. Sometimes the circumstances of life are fast and furious, confusing and exhausting. A sprinkling of the Word of God here and there can keep us alive...but alive isn’t necessarily living. And friends, I want to LIVE!

So, let us send our roots down deep...SOAK up the Word. What happens when we are deeply rooted? We live abundantly! Jeremiah 17:8 forms a picture for us, “He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Deep roots give us strength beneath the surface. Come storms, come tumult...we stand. Deep roots sustain fruit...and are always found near the Living Water. Drink deeply and be rooted, friends!