When I think back to being a varsity athlete, there was a lot I had to keep on top of, including practices and classes, eating right so I could play my best. I had to be rested, or I wouldn’t be able to focus. And, like all high school athletes, I had to keep my grades up, or I couldn’t play.

As an athlete, we have to focus on games and grades, maybe even a job or volunteering. As a parent, we have a job, bills to pay, meetings to attend, and kids and/or a spouse to love. As a coach, we juggle  practices and game planning, film to watch, possibly a full-time job, and family time.  Mix in some church and other ministry opportunities, and we can feel overwhelmed. Our Father in Heaven knows our needs and wants to help us find healthy rhythms.

Our best hope for balance in this life is to be rooted in the Lord as the prophet Jeremiah talked about:

“The person who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed.

He will be like a tree planted by water:
it sends its roots out toward a stream,
it doesn’t fear when heat comes,
and its foliage remains green.
It will not worry in a year of drought
or cease producing fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8

A tree with deep roots is well-nourished, confident and hard to knock down. 

In Africa, there is a significant tree species known as the shepherd’s tree. While it only grows about 30 feet high, it is known to have some of the deepest roots. The shepherd’s tree can grow roots as deep as 200 feet! These extensive roots provide stability to the tree and give it a network to find water.

When life is full of distractions and disappointments, and life seems dry and barren, we can still live fruitfully if we are planted in God. 

There are a lot of things in life that are important and good - family, sports and serving others, for example. But without that strong root system providing balance, everything can feel tedious and more difficult. 

So, how do we root ourselves in God

In Luke 6:46-48, Jesus says, “’Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built.’” 

There are two truths highlighted here that can help us with the growth of our roots. First, we need to obey what the Lord says. If we are claiming that Jesus is our Savior and Lord, then we should do what God says in His Word.

That leads to the second truth: be in the Word. We cannot obey what we don’t know. We cannot play the game we love if we don’t know the rules, roles and reasons that guide it. Likewise, we cannot obey the Word of the Lord if we don’t know what it says.

Psalm 1:2 speaks of meditating, or thinking constantly, about the Word of the Lord, and how that brings delight to that person.

Matthew 6 talks about God’s provision for us: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” -Matthew 6:33

The word used for “seek” means to crave. The word used for “first” means foremost.  Our foremost craving should be God and His righteousness. God provides our righteousness through Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. When we seek God like our lives depend on it, we find ourselves rooted in the only true source of balance and hope: Him.    

If we are studying the Bible, talking to the Lord in prayer, and seeking to live as He wants us to live, we are rooting in Him. He will nourish us with His love and protection as our heavenly Father!

When we seek Him as a top priority, then our roots will grow deep and wide. Our days will feel more stable and balanced. We do not have to fear the heat or worry about drying up doing all the things. We will be like those trees planted near the water.

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR, which explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.

We want you to join us as we go through the Glory journey this year! Discover Chasing Glory, Received Glory, Reflecting Glory and Lasting Glory in your heart and purpose by diving into God’s Word and joining us through monthly content and challenges. Visit www.fcaglory.org and start today!

-FCA-