We had a pop-up storm last evening. It came fast and seemingly out of nowhere. The rain fell hard, lightning flashed across the sky, thunder rumbled deep, and the wind blew fast and furious. Before long, the electricity began to flicker on and off.
I stepped onto the porch to watch the storm. I was raised in Oklahoma—that’s just what we do.
As I watched, the wind whipped through the tall Georgia pines. They swayed back and forth, bending with every powerful gust, yet they didn’t break. Watching those trees reminded me of the words I had read earlier that morning:
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”
Ephesians 3:16–17 (NLT)
As the storm raged around me, I realized the strength of those trees wasn’t found in what I could see. It was hidden beneath the surface. Their roots had grown deep into the soil long before the storm ever arrived.
Paul prayed that our lives would look the same.
He didn’t pray that we’d avoid storms. He prayed that our roots would grow deep into God’s love so we would have the strength to endure them.
Deep roots aren’t formed in the middle of a storm. They grow day by day as we abide in Christ through His Word, trust Him by faith, and depend on the strength of His Spirit. Little by little, our roots reach deeper into the limitless love of God.
I’ve seen trees toppled over with their roots ripped from the ground because they weren’t deeply anchored. Storms reveal what was happening beneath the surface all along.
Life’s storms will come for all of us. We may bend. We may even lose a few branches along the way. But when our roots are planted deep in God’s love, we don’t have to fear the storm because our foundation rests in the One who never changes.
Today, ask yourself: Are my roots growing deeper into God’s love?
Lord, thank You for the rich soil of Your love. Continue to strengthen me through Your Spirit and grow my roots deeper into Your love each day. When the storms of life come, remind me that my security isn’t found in my own strength but in Your unfailing love. Amen.