Shallow roots

“But blessed is the one who trusts 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

I was hiking in a dense forest filled with majestic Minnesota pine trees a few weekends ago. For miles in any direction the trees were an endless sight to behold. The thick moss covered the ground like an inviting carpet, the musky smell of the leaves that had fallen to the ground was invigorating. The babbling sounds of the trout stream was music to my ears. With nature surrounding me, I was awestruck at the realization that all of this happened naturally, without the intervention of mankind.

As I was making my way through a particular dense area, at times having to crawl on my hands and knees to get through the thickets, I stood up and took in a peculiar sight. There, in this thickly covered area, was a huge majestic tree that must have been at least 50 feet tall! The trunk of this tree easily had a 6 foot circumference. This tree was as straight as a telephone pole.

And...this tree was laying flat on the ground with it's entire root structure pulled up, entirely intact.

None of the trees surrounding it were affected. There had been no recent storms or damage to the other surroundings. In spite of all it's majesty, in the midst of being surrounded with other trees that were very similar, this particular tree simply fell down.

I sat down on the trunk of the tree and stared at the roots. I inspected the  root structure and was immediately reminded of how this tree is like many Christians. This tree looked and acted just like the trees it was surrounded by. This tree was nourished with the same nutrients and endured the same trials as the other trees around it. To the naked eye, when this tree was standing tall, it may have even seemed superior to some of the other trees around it, it had grown larger and stronger than some of it's peers.

Unfortunately, the naked eye is not able to see what is happening below the surface. Below the surface, this tree had a very shallow root structure. In fact, I have pulled up vegetables that had deeper roots than this tree had. Somehow this tree managed to thrive and grow for a time, but eventually, this tree encountered a circumstance that it's roots couldn't hold up against. Perhaps it was a windstorm, or some wet soil, or the weight of a large animal...whatever the cause, it didn't matter that this tree was surrounded by other trees or that it looked like a majestic tree, the circumstance was too great for the tree to withstand.

In this Bible verse Jeremiah is comparing people to a tree, but not just any old tree. He says that if we trust in the Lord we are like trees that have deep roots.

Your roots must be anchored in God. Far too many people place their faith in the church or other people. While God definitely brings people alongside you to help you grow and to encourage you, ultimately, your roots are developed privately as you dig into God's word and learn to truly trust Him.

If your "roots" are anchored in God's words and his love, you will be like a tree with roots that go deep into the soil. You won't get knocked over or lose your faith when a storm comes up, or something bad happens in your life. If your roots are deep and holding onto God, you will keep on trusting God no matter what happens in your life.

Don't let anyone look down on you...

I love young people. Children, junior high kids, teenagers...they have so much energy and creativity. They have dreams. They experiment. They ask questions, they seek answers, they challenge the status quo. From a very young age they start asking "why?" Adults can learn so much from them.

At some point, a tragic transition takes place. Those vibrant young people stop asking "why?" and start following the crowd. They conform. They exchange their dreams for an ordinary existence. They become what most of us have demonstrated to them, people going through the motions, following what is "normal", existing in a mundane, average way.

I recall many years ago, as a vounteer youth leader for my church, sitting for hours around the kitchen table with teenagers that were hungry to learn the truth of God's word. They challenged the religious traditions. They asked "why?". Often times, I didn't know the answers and I was honest with them when their questions were over my head. They didn't want to know what the church said about issues, they wanted to know what God said. On many occasions, I would respond with, "I don't know, but let's find out together" and we would dig into the word and seek to find the truth. I could see that these kids were living in the Spirit, seeking to follow God's will in what they did. I loved learning from them.

Unfortunately, there were many adults that didn't view these teenagers the same way. They saw young people who were rowdy, with crazy hair styles and fashions that didn't make sense in their "normal" adult world. Some people thought these kids, who were spending hours around my kitchen table devouring the word of God, were a "disgrace" to the church. They thought the teens should dress differently and look differently. After all, if they are Christians they need to clean up and look the part.

How ridiculous is that?

In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul addresses the younger Timothy on being an example.

¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Many believers read this verse through personal bias of what they perceive the outward appearance of a Christian should be. They immediately jump to the conclusion that if a young person (or any person for that matter) is truly following Jesus, they will dress a certain way, worship a certain way, essentially - they will look the part.

Paul is addressing something much deeper here. He's not addressing the outward appearance, he's addressing the inner workings of the individual. He's telling them to "Be an example"...

In speech...

Psalm 19:14 - May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Though their language was different than the older believers, the words were honest, heartfelt and true. These young people were indeed examples of hearts that were truly, desperately seeking God.



In conduct...

Phillipans 1:27 - Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.

These young people were conducting themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. There was rarely a day that went by that they didn't bring a new person over to share the gospel. They wanted others to know Jesus. They were passionate about what they had received. Their conduct may have been "different" than the oder generation's, but that doesn't mean it was wrong, contrary, I believe that God was well pleased as they were striving together for the faith of the gospel.

In love...

John 15:12-14 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.

These young people were an amazing example of love!  I witnessed the length they would go to in order to help their friends. I observed their deep concern for the lost. They prayed shamelessly and ferverently that their friends and family members would truly know Christ. They seized every opportunity to witness to others. They looked for ways they could demonstrate Christ's love.

In faith...

James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

These young people were a true example of faith in action. They were continually seeking the Lord for His direction, they weren't content to just "play the part" of a Christian, they wanted to truly BE Christians!


In purity...

Psalm 119: 9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.

Simple concept, yet so difficult for most people to understand. Live according to the word of God. This requires that you study the word of God, read the word of God, know the word of God. I learned more of God's word during that period of my life than at any other time. The young people taught me how to know God. They pursued understanding and were passionate about what God has to say!

Twelve years later, the effects of that group of young people are still at work. That group of radical, crazy hair, strange clothes, loud music, frequently goofy, passionate young people produced a number of pastors, pastors wives, and individuals working in full-time ministry yet today. I count it a privilege to have been part of what God was doing in their lives. They each hold a very special place in my heart. More importantly, I am blessed that each of them taught me how to live by faith. Thank you Lord for using your young people to shape my life!

Needs

I need new running shoes...and new brakes on my car...and contacts and glasses...and new winter clothes...and a new mattress...and a massage...the list goes on and on.

I was figuring out my finances the other day and I made a list of needs. Being a Type-A personality, I divided my list into immediate needs (things I need to purchase from this paycheck) and needs to plan for. Before long, my list was huge! Staring at this giant list of unfulfilled needs was discouraging. After all; I work two jobs, how can I have so many needs?

Last night, as I was making the 40 minute drive to my second job I was considering these needs when this passage of scripture came to mind - Phillipians 4:19...

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

 

I joyed at the thought! What a relief! God will supply all my needs! And then it hit me...there's more to it. We can't look at that verse alone, we have to look at the entire context. Just before Paul writes that sentence to the people in Phillipi, he is sharing with them about being content in every circumstance.

 

¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

 

¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. ¹⁷ Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. ¹⁸ I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.

 

They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

 

Reality hit me. I went back to my "need" list and reviewed. Yes, there are a few things that are true needs, but in reality, most of the list is composed of wants. My bills are paid. I have a roof over my head. I have running water. I have heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. I have food to eat and a car to drive. I have clothes to wear. I have an excess of "stuff" that surrounds me. Most importantly, I have the promise of eternal life with Jesus Christ. What I really need is to learn to be content! God has truly supplied all my needs! He has blessed me abundantly!

 

What a valuable lesson to remember. God has never let me go without my true needs being fulfilled. He takes care of everything I really NEED and often gives me my wants as well. Thank you Lord for supplying all my needs according to YOUR riches in glory!