August 15—A Pearl for Today
“Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done” (Col. 2:7 NLT).
GROW DOWN TO GROW UP
A tree behind a cabin on Ross Avenue in Cannon Beach, Oregon, causes me to ponder the ways of nature and God. Years ago, a tiny seed fell atop a tree stump that was eight feet tall. There the seed found enough nourishment to sprout and grow. The roots, seeking sustenance, moved eight feet down the dead trunk to the ground at the edge of a stream. The tree now is about forty feet tall, growing straight and healthy. We took a picture of this tree, and I have it framed in our home. It is a reminder of the importance of the work involved in growing deep to find nourishment and sustenance. The roots of this tree went to great lengths (eight feet!) to anchor themselves in the nourishing soil.
As Christians we are urged in Colossians to let our roots grow by obedience and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We receive nourishment from Him when we tap into His nourishing source of power.
We are also promised as Christians that, when we put down our roots into God’s word, we will be firmly planted and fruitful.
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does he prospers” (Ps. 1:2- NASB).
Meditating on God’s word to receive the necessary nourishment to develop deep roots takes time and work. But the alternative is little growth. Mark 4:6, describes what happens when we do not sink our roots deeply in our savior and His word, “And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it WITHERED away.”
What describes your sap level? Nourished or withered? If you need nourishment, tap into our strengthening savior and His word.
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
If you find yourself zapped, get sapped! Tap into Him!