Where Are You Rooted?

The summer sun beat down oppressively, as I walked and processed the latest COVID-19 update. My kids wouldn’t be going back to school, in person, as planned. Sigh. By now we were getting used to disappointment. 
 
I thought about the days ahead— of endless virtual calls, dozens of log-in passwords to keep track of, and math problems I wasn’t qualified enough to solve. I thought about the “baby” ministry under my care, and all the meetings and tasks that entailed. I thought about all the work travel my husband had coming up, that would take him away from home. As I considered all these things, I began to feel completely and utterly overwhelmed.
 
“I can’t do this,” I told Jesus, hot tears stinging my eyes. My conclusion was final: He must intervene in my situation, or I would certainly be done for

As I continued, my path took me beside the lake near our house, where well-established trees towered over the muddied waters. My eyes studied their branches, stretched high and wide, prompting a familiar scripture to come to mind:
 
“…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…” (Jer. 17:7-8, emphasis added)
 
In the chapters surrounding this simile, Jeremiah rebukes the nation of Israel. They were stuck in a cycle of sin and doomed for destruction, so the young prophet gets down to the literal root of the problem: confidence in themselves instead of trusting God.
 
Yahweh had called Israel out of slavery in Egypt, then led them into the desert to learn how to live a life of dependence on Him. After 40 years of wandering, they had (mostly) learned their lesson.
 
However, after they entered the Promised Land, old habits soon returned. God had chosen them to be “oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor” (Is. 61:3). Instead, they became like a “stunted shrub in the desert'' (Jer. 17:6 NLT), worthless and doomed to destruction.
 
Jehovah Jireh was, and is, more than enough for His people’s every need. But, in their pride, Israel traded His abundant provision opting to strive in their own ability.
 
God took the Israelites back out of their land and into exile to reiterate His original lesson. In the same way, he leads you and I into “desert seasons” to remind us to place and keep our total confidence rooted in Him.
 
That hot summer day by the lake, I had a choice to make: I could grin and bear the coming days in my own strength (which would surely lead to burnout) or I could place my confidence solely in Christ and trust Him to be enough for every moment.
 
Thankfully, I chose the latter. When I look back on that season, now, all I can see is grace and more grace. I can say, with the psalmist David, “…those who seek the Lord lack no good thing” (Ps. 34:10).
 
Friend, He won’t fail you either. He is worthy of all our trust. Are you facing a situation that feels impossible? Are you fearful and frustrated when it comes to finances, parenting, or something else? 
 
The feeling of “not enough” is a sure-fire sign that we’re putting confidence in our own ability instead of God’s. When we are rooted in Christ alone, we can rest in the knowledge that He is sufficient for every situation.
 
Right now, allow the Holy Spirit to reveal any area where you’ve been rooted in self-confidence, then confess the sin of pride; “He is faithful and just and will forgive” (1 Jn. 1:9, emphasis added). 
 
Turn from your own strength, your own ideas, or even your own righteousness. Commit to live each day rooted in complete dependence on Christ.
 
He is the Well that never runs dry

​​Memory Verse: “’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 17:7-8

About the Author

Hi, I’m Katie Gibson! My incredible husband Craig and I have been married for 15 years and live in North Atlanta with our three children. My favorite things include black coffee, small group, date nights, and the Atlanta Braves. I'm passionate about teaching the truth of God's Word in a practical and encouraging way that helps others experience the abundant life Jesus promised. Join me on my journey of knowing God in the midst of ministry, marriage and motherhood at www.katiegibsonwrites.com.