Firmly Planted

One of my most unexpectedly joyous roles in life is being a plant mom. While for some, this may seem insignificant, it has brought me an immense amount of joy.

​I look forward to waking up in the mornings with the responsibility of watering them and ensuring they receive the necessary amount of sunlight. More importantly, watching them grow, develop new stems, and become more vibrant in color brings me confidence to know that I am taking care of them as instructed.

But imagine, imagine if I left my plants to their own devices. Imagine if I didn’t water them, didn’t provide the necessary sunlight, and neglected them, expecting them to rely on themselves to flourish and grow. What would the result be? They would dry out, lose color, and eventually die. There is no way they could survive on their own without the proper love and care. Slowly but surely, they would wither away.

On introspection, this would mirror a life devoid of God, a path where we’re left to our own devices—barren, desolate, and destined for eventual demise. Jeremiah 17 is a prophecy from God to the people of Israel. More specifically, Jeremiah 17:6 exemplifies what life would be like if the people of Israel were to trust in man and human desire over God. It states that “they will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives” (Jeremiah 17:6). God warned that their life would be dry and completely unsustainable without Him.

This doesn’t just apply to the people of God in that time, but it also applies to God’s people today. The truth is that a life without God leads to eventual death.

When you think of the parched places of a desert, what do you envision? I envision a place that is very dry, life-threatening, and unprotected. While that sounds scary, it can also be tempting. Similar to how mirages occur in deserts, appearances of goodness can be misleading. The world constantly pulls at us for attention, and our flesh craves our devotion. It can be very easy to idolize others, material possessions, and ourselves, further suppressing the voice of God. It takes a certain intentionality not to go our own way.

We avoid the parched places in the desert by surrendering to God’s will, seeking His guidance through His Word, and spending time with Him in prayer. Each of these principles has helped me remain in sync with Christ. When I have felt the pull to go my own way, I have asked the Holy Spirit for guidance. When I’m tempted to get distracted by the things the world has to offer, I dive deeper into His Word. When I crave human affection, I seek God in prayer. And the result? A life filled with more peace and abundance!

While being a plant mom is in no way a comparison to the way God cares for us, metaphorically the results are similar. Under God’s care, you will grow. Under God’s care, you will never have to worry about doing this life alone. Under God’s care, there is the promise of eternal life with Him.

““This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
​Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV)

About the Author

Hi! I'm Jannetta Cox. I am a devoted wife to my husband Chris and together we have the sweetest three-year-old daughter who is the center of our world. We've been married for 7+ years and balancing parenting with my full-time job keeps me pretty busy. In my spare time, I love spending time with family and friends or planning short weekend trips. Above all, I have a deep faith in God who is the key part of my life. My hope is to guide others towards faith in any way I can.