Have you ever stopped to consider how God reveals His love for us? Look no further than nature to observe the truth and what it means to be truly Rooted and Planted by God, Revealing His Love.
One morning, on a COSTCO run with my spouse, God drew my attention toward the trees as we sped along the highway. I zeroed in on them; their size, color, and shape filled me with admiration. I recalled from elementary school that trees are giant plants that give us oxygen, store carbon, stabilize soil, and support wildlife. But on this day, God wanted me to see so much more. I noted their various sizes, length, height, and depth. Instantly, I was reminded the breadth of his love for us is infinite. It spans from the past to the present and into eternity. Its height extends to the throne of God, where Jesus left and came to earth to give salvation to all. And its depth touches the deepest crevices of the human heart, transforming lives forever. As Ephesians 3:17-19 confirms, “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
As we continued along, I was comforted knowing God’s love is infinite, spanning time and touching our hearts to transform us.
BEARING FRUIT FROM GOD’S WORD
When we slowed due to traffic, I was drawn to several cows basking under the shade of a large apple tree. The tree was one of many stretched throughout the pasture. I noticed that not all fruit trees were alike; some provided shade, while others thrived in full sunlight. Some grew a few feet, while others soared to over 100 feet. Some produced visible fruit, while others did not. When traffic began to move, I thought of Jesus’s words, “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:5-6)
Jesus tells us, He is the vine and we are the branches. So, we must abide in Him to stay connected and receive His nourishment for fruitful lives. We abide in Him through loving others, obeying His commands, submitting to Him, and praising/worshipping God. When we devote ourselves wholly to Jesus as branches connected to His vine, he moves powerfully through us, drawing others into a saving knowledge of Him.
GOD’S PLACEMENT OF BELIEVERS
Once closer to the bustling city, I noticed the trees surrounding and protecting every area where people prospered. They stood solid and unshakable in front of businesses, churches, schools, and medical offices. Then, God revealed that the trees are like His church. We are everywhere, people of all races, gender, height, and weight. Galatians 3:26-28 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” The holy spirit gave me another nugget of information and I barely grasped the thought that each tree is precisely where God intends it to be.
Every believer has a purpose in God’s kingdom plan and is precisely where He intends them to be. God molds and shapes our lives to be a light in the world, guiding others toward Him. We are entrusted to bring His message to those who don’t know Him, so we each play an essential role in spreading the Gospel. Also, Jesus uses us to bring His message of love, mercy and grace through conversations and living out our faith. So, no matter where we are, He knows and understands what it takes for us to fulfill our destiny of bringing glory to His name.
FACING THE SEASONS OF LIFE
Everyone experiences life’s varying seasons, from joy to sorrow and everything in between. Being connected to Jesus gives us the ability to withstand the seasons. In some seasons we have abundance, while in others we are stripped bare, clinging to the Father for hope. But he has predestined us to produce strong roots that cannot be easily uprooted. Jesus did not say we would not experience trials. John 16:33 declares, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus told us we will face trials, but we can rejoice knowing God is working in those trials for our good. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:28-29)
As we drove into the parking lot of Costco, my husband noticed my deep contemplation and lack of conversation during the journey. I grasped his hand, smiled from ear to ear and responded, “I was just cherishing two of God’s greatest creations – trees and His church.”
If you enjoyed this article at His Spoken Word, don’t hesitate to leave a comment and share how God has granted you a new or different perspective.
