Like a Tree Planted By the Water
- D. S. Wells
- 3 minutes ago
- 6 min read
John 15:9-10, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”
There is a place in upper Michigan, along the coastline of Lake Superior, called Pictured Rocks. It is known for being a wall of rocks, with a foundation that has over time, fallen away into the water, creating beautiful designs in the rocks. Along the top of this long wall are the trees and paths to walk. There is a place where you can go to take boat tours to see all that this nature offers us or many people kayak or take their boats to see this beautiful landscape. We took the tour once and learned and saw many cool things. One of the things was one of the trees along the way. It stood alone on its own pinnacle of a foundation. Separated from the rest of the land and the trees. What caught my attention was how it was still alive and thriving. Below it was only water around the entire base. It was the roots that caught my attention. Despite being separated from everything, its roots were still attached to land and the rest of the trees. It was like ropes above the water clinging to the land. I used the picture I took as part of my opening picture and hopefully it is clear enough to see. The tree remains alive because its roots have been firmly planted, no matter what comes, it will not be moved.
When we choose to follow Jesus, live our lives the best we can to reflect His light and obey all He asks, we are choosing to firmly plant ourselves in Him. He even tells us that He is the Vine we are the branches. He is the root system that helps us make it through life no matter what is thrown at us. Like a tree firmly planted we too can be firmly planted and claim, ‘I shall not be moved.’ The best part as we let our roots grow in Jesus is that we have many promises. Firmly rooted in Christ, God says you are…
· Victorious- 1 John 5:4
A belief that because of Jesus the battle over sin, fear, and death has already been won and it now shapes your life. You don't fight for victory; you live from victory.
Victory over sin- you will still have struggles, but sin no longer has control over you.
Victory over fear and worry- even when life is hard you can have peace and confidence that God is with you.
Victory even in struggles- victory doesn't mean life is easy all the time. It means struggles don't have to defeat you. In Jesus you can find hope, purpose, and strength.
· Complete in Christ- Colossians 2:10
Your past, your mistakes, what others think, doesn't define you. In Jesus you are accepted, loved, and made new.
Your self-worth doesn't need to be proven. In Christ your value is already settled.
Your life may not always be perfect but in Christ you will lack nothing. Spiritually you are forgiven, have a purpose and eternal hope.
Being complete in Christ can bring you peace and confidence. There is no need for comparison or insecurities because you are already whole because of Jesus.
· More than a conqueror- Romans 8:37
You can and will overcome with purpose. All the battles you face will not defeat you but help you come out stronger and intact.
Life will bring hardships, loss, stress, even pain but you won't collapse. In Christ you will be a conqueror because your hope isn't based on what's happening around you.
Your battles won't define you because you are loved. Hardships, struggles, fears, even temptations don't get the final word and don't have authority over you. In Christ you are never fighting alone, you are loved and secure even in the middle of each battle.
Because of what Christ has already done His victory becomes yours.
· A child of God- John 1:12
This isn't just a title. It's your identity and can shape how you belong and how you live.
You belong to God's family. You are not alone but part of something bigger. You have a spiritual family.
Your past doesn't define you; you are rooted in what God says, not the world.
Like a parent is to their child you can go to God whenever, for anything. He will help you grow, shape your character, and walk with you through life.
As a child of God, you share in God's promises of an inheritance and have hope, purpose and eternal life.
· A new creation- 2 Corinthians 2:13
When you are rooted in Christ you are made new from the inside out, not just improved.
When rooted in Christ your perspective begins to change and all you think, say, and do, as you are aligning with God.
You are forgiven and brought into a right relationship with God.
You will still face struggles but see them differently knowing God's in control.
It's not about you changing, but in allowing God to work in you, helping you grow.
· You are chosen- 1 Peter 2:9
You are not an accident or overlooked. God sees you, knows you, and intentionally has called you His own.
You are chosen not because you are perfect or better, not even your achievements. God chose you out of love and grace.
God has chosen to walk with you and be close with you, not by chance. He desires to be with you.
You are chosen because God has a bigger plan for you and has given you gifts to reflect His love.
· You are God's masterpiece- Ephesians 2:10
You were intentionally created, are deeply valued, and the Lord continues to shape you for a meaningful purpose.
You are one-of-a-kind with your own unique value. Everything about you matters to God.
You are not finished. God continues to shape your life, your character, and your directions as long as you are rooted in Him.
Your worth isn't based on your flaws. God sees the whole picture, and you have been created for good works. You are meant to reflect God's goodness in who you are.
· Redeemed- Colossians 1:14
You have been rescued by the blood of Christ, freed from your past, and brought into a new life rooted in Christ.
Redeemed, no longer held captive by sin, guilt, or your past.
You weren't freed from something, you are redeemed; brought back into relationship with Jesus.
You are not separated anymore. You are claimed, loved, and restored.
· You are forgiven- Ephesians 1:7
Your sins, when confessed, are fully wiped away. You are clean, accepted, and restored.
You are not on a ‘probation system’, your debt has been cancelled.
Forgiveness has been fully given, and you can approach God with confidence not fear.
· You are loved- Jeremiah 31:3
God's love for you is personal, constant, and unconditional, not based on what you do or have done.
Being loved by God can be transformative, bring you peace and security, and can help you love others differently.
Growing healthy fruit is important in our lives and we should be doing what we can to reflect Jesus to others. By our fruits He has helped us grow when we abide in Him. But God has something so much better—so much deeper—in mind for us. It’s not just about focusing on the fruit we grow but making sure we attend to our roots too. We need to remember to also tend what we cannot see from where our lives grow. Our connection with the Source of all life and good fruit. To maintain a strong life where the storms and winds cannot blow us away, we need to be rooted in Christ. Oh, what wonderful blessings He has promised we will have, when rooted in Him.
Today and every day walk in Jesus rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith.
If you have a few more minutes, I found this article that goes along with being rooted in Jesus that spoke to me and I wanted to share it with you today. Stay rooted in Jesus so you will not be moved when satan comes your way, and be blessed.
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