As I was worshiping at church a few weeks ago I had a vision. I saw the redwood trees that are in California, and God took me under the ground to see their root system. I know I’ve mentioned it in the past, but the redwood’s roots are huge! They are wider than the trees are tall, and I’ve seen those trees, they are really tall. Then God spoke to me that I must have a deep and wide root structure to support all He will do with my life. It was an awe-inspiring and humbling moment.
This exercise of writing daily devotionals, especially during this season for my family, has been extremely vulnerable, but I feel with each week that He is honoring that willingness to be vulnerable. I also see Him using my writing as a way for me to purge all the difficulty and challenge that’s been coming my way. It’s in His grace that He set all of this up during this time. He knew I would need an outlet, and then He honors that by using it to encourage others and bring glory to His name.
I will intentionally stay steady during this season, because I long to have deep and strong roots. I don’t want to be tossed about by the wind and waves. I don’t want to be a stunted Christian who “knows enough.” Or has “had enough healing.” I want to be fully His, fully willing, fully healed and fully mature, lacking nothing.
To achieve these things, there is a cost. A high cost. My pride.
As I lay down my pride each day, and don’t entertain the thoughts of “I wonder what people think when they read these vulnerable devotionals?” Instead, I just say, “Yes” to God. You have it now and always will, God. You have my “Yes”.
Prayer Moment: Have you allowed God to root you? It can be so easy to get caught up in self-promotion or to be swept away by the praise of others. But the only thing that really lasts and sustains itself is God alone. His presence. His encouragement. His leading. His timing. His promotion. Is He your all in all, or have you allowed people around you to begin to call you out before your time? Others won’t know if you begin to move outside of His timing, oftentimes, until it’s too late and a major pruning must occur. I would much rather be pruned day by day, wouldn’t you? Spend some time with the Father and ask Him to show you your root system. Then ask Him to grow it deeper and stronger, but be prepared because it might be a wild ride. But isn’t that what life is all about?
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
But He gives us more grace. That is why scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. James 4:6
365 Days in the Presence 