We've been mining granite this past week. Well, really, we've been digging up rocks to make a tilapia farm for our ministry partner.
It's probably, well no, it's been the most hard labor, blue collar work I've done in my entire life. There was a mining engineering major at my college and now I know why.
We're working on this amazing and beautiful property up in the mountains. I think the view of the valley is the one redeeming factor of this ministry. That and our ministry contact is this amazing fireball of a woman who has put corrupt cops behind bars and works with the local gang members.
This is probably one of my least favorite jobs. We get up at 5:30 to drive an hour away to Denny's where we meet up with Teresa, our ministry partner. Then we pile into her truck and drive another hour and a half to the Valley of Angels where she owns this farm; though, I guess I shouldn't complain since we do get internet access at Denny's every day.
Digging up rocks is a lot freaking harder than one thinks! They are deeply embedded into the mountain through a maze of grass, root, insects, and soil. These aren't just any roots either, these are like 5 inch in diameter roots of the majestic pines that line the property.
I've attempted gardening here and there and I know of the delicate roots of the new plants you can get from Home Depot. You grab the root and pluck the plant out of the planter box hoping to do the least amount of root damage possible. However, I've never had to deal with mature roots; the ones that reach deep into the ground holding the plant steady in the wind and the rain. And I think it was then that God showed me what it meant to be deeply rooted in Him; to be unwavering in the storms and the floods.
If you think about it, it makes sense. How much more often do you see baby trees unearthed after a storm than the tall majestic ones that have been around for a while? In the same way, how often to do see a new Christian walk away from the faith when tragedy hits and a mature one stay through the storm?
While digging on the mountain and wondering why I signed up for this insanity, I was reminded of the verse that commands us to be deeply rooted in Christ. I can't tell you how many times we've had to hack away at these root in order to get the rocks out. On a similar note, have you noticed how some tree roots cause sidewalk damage? You know, that one part of the sidewalk that's slightly higher than the rest. Well, that tree didn't grow overnight and neither does our faith. These things take time, seasons, storms, and life.
Because when you are deeply rooted in Him, He will do mighty works through you.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7
