Rooted in Living Water
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have her perfect result, that ye may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." - James 1:2-4
Last night on the news, I saw the tornadic destruction from violent storms that had crossed the region. Massive oaks and pecan trees were toppled, as their compact root balls were unable to support their towering mass against the powerful winds, while other trees were snapped into jagged splinters. Yet in the midst of this destruction, many older oaks and willow trees survived unharmed.
In many parts of Texas, rainfall exceeds 30 inches annually and the water table is fairly close to the surface. Thus, trees often have easy access to both water and nutrients. Their roots do not have to struggle deep into the ground for nourishment, and they remain balled up close to the surface. They were unprepared for what was coming. When the violent gusts hit, the roots failed to provide adequate foundation. The trees that survived were those that had to dig deep during dry times or those like the willow that bent in surrender under the onslaught instead of fighting the storm. The harsh conditions of previous trials allowed them to stand, submit, and to remain whole while others fell.
It is amazing how often God provides answers to my questioning Him through His creation. I cannot tell you how many times I have asked God “Why?” in the midst of my struggles and grew frustrated when He did not answer in my timing. When I was younger, my life was comfortable. I was selfish, immature and unprepared for life's storms. I did not dig deep into the Word's foundation to sustain me because I did not know "struggle." I stood in pride and selfishness and was in danger of the next violent storm. I was lost and deceived. Thanked God that He removed my comfortable life and brought trials that have caused me to dig deep. Dry times helped me to discover the living water of John 4:10.
James gives evidence of this truth as he helps us answer why we suffer. We are allowed to suffer through trials in order to prepare us for the violent storms to come. God's love allows us to face dry times so that we will reach down and learn to depend on His strength instead of our own. When life is comfortable, it is easy to believe that we stand through our own effort. A life of ease keeps us focused on earthly pleasures. Unless we face trials, our roots stay wrapped up within our own shallowness and we cannot stand against Satan's destructive attacks. Each trial causes us to explore a little deeper into our fellowship with God.
We can be assured that great storms are coming, for the devil comes only to steal, to kill, and to destroy us, while Jesus has come to give us abundant life (John 10:10). His living water is what sustains us during dry times and without "drought", we might not seek Him out. Jesus has called us to dig down and to depend on His living water (John 4:10). We are to stand strong against life's storms through His power and strength, so that we may bear fruit. We have a powerful purpose and Satan desires to knock us down.
Each day I must remind myself that each little trial is an opportunity to dig deeper into the living water of His word and to be prepared for the next storm. Each person that I meet is an opportunity to bear fruit as I share all the blessings that God gives. When I am open to Him, His living water can then bring forth seeds that will bless those who need them most.
As storms grow evermore violent in our changing world, let them remind you to give thanks through your trials. For each trial allows you to stand in the middle of your storms.
