“Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don’t criticize
What you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin’
Please get out of the new one if you can’t lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin’”
Bob Dylan. 1964
Wow. Do you think he knew? Do you think he knew what we would be experiencing today, in 2016? Could he ever have predicted the internet, botox and legalized marijuana? Do you think he thought about public restroom discussions, gun control laws, Isis and smart cars?
One thing you can always count on, things change. Always have. Always will.
I don’t know about your home, but in mine, we have had discussions over the last few years about things I didn’t see coming. With the onset of social media and real-time video links across the world, the changes around us seem to land in our living room pretty quickly.
And I don’t know about your home, but, even though I know what I stand for, I haven’t always had a quick answer to some of the questions I’ve had to face. Sometimes, I have to research or contemplate or sleep on it before responding.
What I can tell you, is that there is one thing that has never changed and never will.
He knew the changes that would take place from 1964 to now and He knows what changes will occur over the next 50 years and beyond.
Nothing catches Him off guard. Nothing surprises Him. Nothing “occurs” to Him.
He has been in the past, He’s here in the present, and He knows the future.
He knows how all of this will end. And be assured, one day, it will all end.
“Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8
There is a tree here in Georgia that is pretty popular to plant. The bradford pear tree. I love the shape and how fast they grow. What I cannot get past though is that they seem to topple over quicker than any other tree around. They come up at the roots if the winds are too high and the ground is too wet. They are beautiful from the grass up, but they have a weak and shallow root system. One bad storm and CRACK! They topple right over!
But take the oak tree for instance. It can withhold a small family climbing all over it and not shift at all. It waves its branches in the wind, but it stays in tact. It can withstand numerous attacks of weather, weight and even age and still stand tall and beautiful where it sits.
Its roots run deep. A mature oak can have roots that total up to 100 miles long. They anchor the tree well.
What are you rooted in? How deep do your roots run?
“Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.”
Colossians 2:7
Bob Dylan wrote those lyrics in 1964.
The book of Colossians was written around 80 A.D. “Plant your roots in Christ…”.
Wow.
God knew what was coming. Not only that, but He wanted us to be prepared.
That’s some serious love in action.
This gives me hope and comfort. I don’t have to worry about what the next political argument will be or what question may be asked of me by my children. I don’t have all of the answers and I don’t need to, because I know the One who does. Jesus Christ.
So…let’s make sure our roots grow deep.
If you need to plant yourself somewhere, put yourself in the rich soil of Christ. There, you will find stability and security.
If your root system is shallow, start watering there. God will meet you right where you are.
If your root system seems deep already, I assure you there’s room for more growth. Be intentional. Don’t get complacent.
“… He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.”
James 1:17
When our world starts to shift with change, let’s agree to stop talking about it, and take it to God in prayer.
Roots grow over time, underground, in secret. Our prayer life can be a lot like these roots. Developing over time. Behind closed doors. Just between us and Him.
When the winds of change blow, let’s stand firmly with confidence knowing we won’t topple over because of weak roots…a loose anchor.
More praying, less chatting.
More believing, less doubting.
More freedom, less fear.
Stronger faith.
Deeper roots.
More Jesus.
He’s got this.
Always has, always will.
Blessings,
Kellie
Simple Faith 