Today I began to ponder on how trees and plants grow. I live way out in the country and I see a variety of plant life and types of trees as I look around me. Some trees flourish and grow very tall. Some trees flourish but stay much closer to the ground. Plant life is abundant and beautiful.

Today happens to be a very stormy day. As the wind was blowing I began to watch the trees sway back and forth. They danced beautifully with a lovely rhythm and grace. Often I wonder how they keep from crashing to the ground and landing on my home. As I looked out further, I saw a tree that is no longer alive, yet it still stands. I know it will fall soon if it’s not cut down. The thing is, if I let it fall on its own it will land on my garage. As large as this tree is I am pretty certain there will be nothing left of my poor garage if that happens. If I hire a professional to cut it down it will come down at just the right angle and not hit my garage. I can’t help but wonder what may have killed this tree. Did a disease in the ground it’s planted take it out? Was there some type of parasite that was attached to it? What I do know is, it must come down!

1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain”.

“Stand Firm” what does this mean? When trees are swaying back and forth, the only way they keep from crashing to the ground is if their root system is deep, strong and spreads out wide. After having some tree work done last year I found out a little more about a tree’s root system. The professionals explained to me that a good solid root system spreads out far and wide, along with going deep. Some tree root systems are 2 – 6 feet into the ground. In South Africa there was a tree with a root system that was 24 feet deep! However, the deeper roots go, the less oxygen and nutrients they receive. The largest amount of oxygen and nutrients in the dirt are located more towards the surface. 

The deep roots of a tree are called Anchor Roots. They work to give the tree stability. Trees also have what are called Lateral Roots. These are the roots that stay the closest to the earth, directly under the soil surface. These are the roots that absorb water and nutrients and help to anchor and nourish the tree. 

I began to compare these root systems to spiritual systems in my life. The Bible stood out to me as the Anchor Roots. The Word of God is what I must be rooted and grounded in to stand firm in my daily walk. As I read the Bible I gain understanding that gives me a firm foundation so nothing moves me. My prayer life and daily walk with Jesus are the Lateral Roots. These give me nutrients and nourishment to sustain me each day. Both work together to help me remain rooted and grounded in Christ Jesus. The Word of God is considered the Bread of Life as well. 

In conclusion; I am determined that I must study the Word of God, have a daily prayer life, and walk daily with Jesus, in order to not be moved! If I continually do all three, my “anchor roots” and “lateral roots” shall be firm and strong. This will keep me from being moved when the winds of life blow. This will keep me healthy and strong. No one will need to call a professional to cut me down because I will be alive!  I want to be the tree who stands strong and tall in every storm. Even when the winds blow and bend me I will stand back up tall and strong because my roots run deep and wide!