[bctt tweet=”When our roots are dug deep into our foundation, Jesus Christ; the storms will not blow us over.” username=”effiedarlene”]As Christians, We are to be rooted in Jesus Christ; stretching deep into the fountain of living water. There is where we find our hearts satisfied. Jesus Christ is that fountain of living water which fills us with joy, peace and hope! When we are rooted in Him, we can’t get blown over when the storms of life come. Grounded in Him, the truth, we will not sway with every philosophical wind of society that blows our way! That is what Paul the apostle wanted the Church of Colossae to learn.
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2: 6-9
A VIEW FROM CREATION
I traveled along the highways into central Mexico a lot, during one season of my life. My husband, children and I would travel along the main highways downward until near Queretaro. Then we veered off onto a small and winding path heading our way to Pachuca, Hgo. Along the roadside were areas of barren desert and mountainous terrain. Little streams of water etched their way across the land. Along the sides of the steep, rocky terrain, trees stood, stretching toward the heavens. Defying gravity, each was supported by winding, tumultuous roots stretching across the rocky surfaces down into the water’s edge below. Because of their strength and endurance; my heart yearned to have their strength. Little did I know that they would be my inspiration years later as all alone I traveled those roads after my husband’s death.
WHEN LIFE TURNS UPSIDE DOWN
My husband died July, 1994 there in central Mexico. I quickly brought the children back to start school United States. Because the newspapers in Pachuca had run sensational lies surrounding his death, I wanted to shelter my sons from the cruel gossip of society. How does a brilliant successful doctor lose the battle against bipolar disease and commit suicide? That was a question the people in Pachuca could not understand, so the newspaper made up horrific stories that were all based on lies.
A TIME TO REFLECT
Over the next six months, I would make the trip every month along the winding roads from Pachuca to Missouri alone in a Van pulling a trailer and then a few weeks later return. As I drove along those winding roads; I would think of those trees and how they had grown strong, stretching their roots downward to drink of the living water below. Much like those trees, I knew my survival depended on my pressing my roots ever deeper into the living water I found in Jesus Christ.
LESSONS OF FAITH
During those long trips alone with God, my faith grew and stretched. My entire life I had asked God to grow my faith. Little did I know all the trials, tribulations that would come my way that did just that. Through it all; He proved His faithfulness. Now, I can look back and say, “God has always been faithful and blessed me with mercies beyond comparison.” To be rooted means to be entrenched, fixed, established, unmovable. During those years, the ones before and the ones that followed my husband’s death; I learned that my strength to survive all the storms depended on my sight being fixed upon Jesus Christ. I cannot imagine a day without Him.
[bctt tweet=”Just as we need water to drink; we need spiritual water to quench the thirst of our soul.” username=”effiedarlene”]
ROOTED IN TRUTH
To stand firm in faith, I need to know with certainty what I am clinging to. Because of that fact; I must not neglect the study of God’s Word every day. Just as the newspaper wanted to distort truth; we live in a society which also desires to bend truth. Whether we are listening to a professor teach, watching a Television show, or working with colleagues; we are bombarded by ideas and philosophies. Because we are drawn aside so often by so many ideas; it is imperative that we take the time to read our Bible and to pray.
A FINAL THOUGHT
Beware lest any man try to deceive you with vain philosophies and ideas. Because you see, I have noted that as I get drawn away by thoughts and ideas; my spirit becomes burdened with doubts or despair. All too often we can get drawn away. Then instead of being happy and filled with thanksgiving toward God; we become dissatisfied with what we have. We yearn for other things or counterfeit joys and forget that in Jesus Christ we have real joy. It is like casting aside a diamond to go in search of a cubic zirconia. In Christ is the fullness of the Godhead-all the righteousness, all the justice, all the beauty, and all the knowledge. Furthermore, He willingly came to this earth to dwell among us. He faced temptations, sufferings and ultimately died in our place that we might be given life in Him.
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[tweetthis]Let our faith and our lives be rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ.[/tweetthis]
[tweetthis]When we are rooted in truth, we cannot be swayed by vain philosophies.[/tweetthis]
Photo courtesy of https://unsplash.com/@mili_vigerova
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.