Wind & Roots

Dear Sisters,

Merry Christmas! I wish I could give door-to-door hugs to each of you, meet your families, and visit the girls in your club. That day will come! If not now, it will certainly happen when Jesus comes again. I look forward with you to the day of His final return to earth! Come, Lord Jesus, come!

WIND & ROOTS

Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8, TNIV

A friend of mine was given the assignment to purchase groceries for an extra-curricular school party. “Don’t lose the receipt,” the superintendent told her. “We’ll reimburse you.”

She purchased the needed supplies, rolled the cart to her van, opened the front door of her vehicle, and placed her purse on the seat. With the driver’s door still open, she turned to unload the bags from the cart to her trunk when a strong prairie wind snatched her receipt from the side purse pocket and tossed it across the parking lot. She ran and ran and ran. She needed that receipt!

Eventually, she nabbed it! Success! Except when she looked at the receipt she discovered it was months old. Breathless, she returned to the van and discovered that the prairie wind also blew the driver’s door shut, safely locking her purse, the correct receipt, and her keys inside the van. Ugh!

Have you ever tried to catch a receipt or another important piece of paper in the wind? It can be an exasperating experience. I wonder if that’s what a life of worry looks like to God. Worry tosses us back and forth in restless sleep, around and around with churning stomachs, and here and there in our thoughts. Anxiety leaves us breathless, robbing us of clearly seeing and resting in His promises and providence.

God says through Jeremiah that blessings come when we trust and put our confidence in God. Instead of being receipts blowing in the wind, our life will look like a tree that’s planted by water.

It sends out its roots by the stream. Be deep rooted in a relationship to Jesus who provides life-giving water that wells up to eternal life (John 4:13-14). He is the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star (Revelation 22:16).

It doesn’t fear heat or worry about drought. Don’t fear in times of trouble or worry when a crisis hits. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

It never fails to bear fruit. When you remain in Jesus you will bear much fruit! Jesus said, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8).

Prayer Step: If worries are tossing you around like the wind, look to the Root of David in prayer.

Just as the roots of a tree provide stability, nourishment, and a firm foundation for growth, our Messiah, the Root of David, provides all this and more in our lives.
Elizabeth L. Vander Meulen & Barbara D. Malda

Grace and peace,

Lenae