When planting a garden, a farmer
typically plants his seeds in a shallow hole. The plant quickly sprouts, and
the farmer is encouraged by the new growth. However, when a strong wind blows
through, the force of the wind quickly uproots the plant. The farmer’s hard
work is destroyed by the storm. The opposite is true in relation to an Oak
Tree. An Oak Tree’s roots are very deep, and, even though a strong wind may
break the branches of the tree, it usually does not blow the tree over. On the
rare occasion that the wind does blow the tree over, the roots are still firmly
planted in the ground, even while the tree is on its side.
The same can be said of our
Christian journey. When we are initially saved, we notice a change within
ourselves. We desire nourishment and begin to be fed the Word of God. We are
inspired by others and even begin to inspire others ourselves. We walk the walk
and talk the talk, and, then, a strong wind blows through and tests our
relationship with God. The stressors of life seem unbearable, and, before we
know it, we find ourselves thrust back into the life we fought so hard to get
out of. We turn back to old habits and addictions to help overcome the trials,
all the while telling everyone that we are fine and that we are praying and
putting our faith in God to accomplish miracles. Just like the plants, we are
supposed to bear good fruit, but, when a strong wind blows through, we are
quickly uprooted, and our life is turned upside down. Just like the plant that
is uprooted, our Christian walk is also rooted in shallow soil.
I’m guilty of having a shallow
relationship with God. I’ve struggled a lot in the last year with demons that
have haunted me. I’ve prayed. I’ve asked others to pray. And I’ve said that I
believe God can heal all and do all. But, at the same time, I found myself
drifting back to a lifestyle that is no longer conducive to the person I am: a
smoker. I prayed to God and believed that He could get me through anything.
Yet, at the same time, by smoking, I’m really telling Him that I don’t believe
He can help me with my problems. Instead of turning to God to get me through my
situation, I relied on nicotine to help relieve my stress. But, really, instead
of telling God how big my demon is and stepping over to the corner and lighting
up while God takes care of it, I should be telling my demon how big my God is.
You may be reading this and
thinking that your relationship with God is firmly rooted. But I wonder, do you
read and study your Bible on days other than Sunday or Wednesday? Do you pray
other than to bless your meal? Do you talk to God on a regular basis or only
when you need something? A deep relationship is not one that consists of going
to church on Wednesday and Sunday and calling it good. That’s only the start of
the relationship. Daily reading and studying of the Word and prayer and
conversations with God are essential ingredients that make a strong
relationship, a deeply rooted relationship. It is important that you submit
your life to God and allow Him to be in control.
By understanding that I have a
shallow relationship with God, I’ve also realized that my relationship with God
directly affects my testimony. I can’t tell others that I’m a Christian and the
wonderful things God has done for me with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth—well,
I can, but it wouldn’t be a very strong testimony. Because if I can believe in
God to do all of those wonderful things, then I should be able to believe that
He can take away my addictions, as well. If I believe that God is my Lord and
Savior and the Master of my destiny, then I should be able to believe that He
can conquer anything. If I’m really a Christian that has put my faith in God, I
can’t choose what I believe He can accomplish and what He can’t. When I give
myself to Him, I need to give all of me to Him, the same as He does for me. He has
planted the seed and provided the nourishment, but now it is up to me to decide
what type of fruit I will bear. I have to decide if I will continue to be a
shallow Christian or if I will firmly plant myself in the Word of God from this
day forward, that I will believe in Him 100%, and that I will not doubt that
all things are possible through Him. Again, I ask, how deep are your roots? Are
you a corn stalk unable to bear a strong wind or are you an Oak Tree that is firmly
rooted?
Added 29 July 2014: To err is to be human. Try as we might, we still falter in our attempts to be good Christians. Some would say, "Why even try when you know that the standard is too high"? I don't believe that it matters that we falter. I believe that it matters if we give up. So long as we continuously try to better individuals, better Christians, I believe that is the most important part of our walk. Will we miss days of reading our Bible because life gets in the way? Yes. But if we continuously try to get back on track, I believe God recognizes the fact that we are trying. Even though I continuously sin, knowingly and unknowingly, I constantly ask God to forgive me for my mistakes, and I pray that He will never leave my side. The flesh is easily tempted. And, when we find ourselves struggling with the stressors of the world, the devil likes to worm his way back in and tempt us with addictions God has already helped us overcome. I've struggled with smoking and quitting smoking ever since my father passed away. The last two years have been very emotional. I quit. I start. I quit. I start. After rereading the above excerpt, I realize that, once again, the roots that were beginning to form have begun to rot. Am I still a good person because I falter? Yes. Do I still love God even though I'm stubborn and want to depend on myself instead of Him? Yes. I guess since I've never had control of my own life because of all the trauma I've been through, now that I've taken control of my life, a part of me has a problem turning it all over to Him. But I'm going to keep trying to let go and let Him be the sole pilot of my life. I will continue to falter, I'm sure, but I won't let that stop me from trying to nourish my roots.
It's never too late to try to replenish our relationship with God. We can never fall so far that He can't lift us back up. We can never do anything that He will not forgive us for, if only we ask. All we can do each day is try to build our relationship with Him the same way we build our relationships with others. We put so much faith and trust in others, yet we forget to do the same for the Author and Finisher of life. Today may be disappointing, but, on a positive note, you woke up and are still alive. With every breath you take, you still have the ability to turn your life around by placing your faith in God and giving Him the reigns to lead you where you are meant to be. As much as I falter, I'm so thankful that He is a forgiving God. Even when I falter, He still directs my steps.
Added 29 July 2014: To err is to be human. Try as we might, we still falter in our attempts to be good Christians. Some would say, "Why even try when you know that the standard is too high"? I don't believe that it matters that we falter. I believe that it matters if we give up. So long as we continuously try to better individuals, better Christians, I believe that is the most important part of our walk. Will we miss days of reading our Bible because life gets in the way? Yes. But if we continuously try to get back on track, I believe God recognizes the fact that we are trying. Even though I continuously sin, knowingly and unknowingly, I constantly ask God to forgive me for my mistakes, and I pray that He will never leave my side. The flesh is easily tempted. And, when we find ourselves struggling with the stressors of the world, the devil likes to worm his way back in and tempt us with addictions God has already helped us overcome. I've struggled with smoking and quitting smoking ever since my father passed away. The last two years have been very emotional. I quit. I start. I quit. I start. After rereading the above excerpt, I realize that, once again, the roots that were beginning to form have begun to rot. Am I still a good person because I falter? Yes. Do I still love God even though I'm stubborn and want to depend on myself instead of Him? Yes. I guess since I've never had control of my own life because of all the trauma I've been through, now that I've taken control of my life, a part of me has a problem turning it all over to Him. But I'm going to keep trying to let go and let Him be the sole pilot of my life. I will continue to falter, I'm sure, but I won't let that stop me from trying to nourish my roots.
It's never too late to try to replenish our relationship with God. We can never fall so far that He can't lift us back up. We can never do anything that He will not forgive us for, if only we ask. All we can do each day is try to build our relationship with Him the same way we build our relationships with others. We put so much faith and trust in others, yet we forget to do the same for the Author and Finisher of life. Today may be disappointing, but, on a positive note, you woke up and are still alive. With every breath you take, you still have the ability to turn your life around by placing your faith in God and giving Him the reigns to lead you where you are meant to be. As much as I falter, I'm so thankful that He is a forgiving God. Even when I falter, He still directs my steps.
