I would be lying if I told you these last four weeks of my life have been easy. Not only have I been physically sick, appearing to catch every little germ that is within a mile's radius from me, but the end of this season is so close that it's a bittersweet experience every day.
However, one thing I know to be true is that even in the hard times, God is ever present.
I will be done with school in two weeks and there is ABSOLUTELY nothing bittersweet about that, rather it's just the latter. Today, starts my last week at my job. This job has been like no other. The friendships I have formed, the lessons I have learned, the opportunities it has granted me, the support that I have received is something that will seriously continue with me forever. As much as I am looking forward to having more free time before I leave for the race, it will be hard to say my last goodbyes to such an amazing group of people who have tremendously blessed me.
I feel the closer that launch time creeps up on us, the busier and busier I get.
This week specifically, I have been drained, worn out, coughing up my lungs, out of energy, or better described as lethargic. The finish line is feet in front of me, but it's everything I can do to muster up the motivation, energy, breath, or strength to break through the ribbon. Countless times I've been reminded that my strength is small.
I've cried out to Him from a place of vulnerability and weakness.
And as always, He proves himself to be faithful as he has sent words of hope my direction through a variety of different ways.
I was talking to my mom the other night about some team name ideas she had.
One of them was the Greek word Rhizoo, she had previously learned about in her Beth Moore group study.
This word hit me like a ton of bricks. As she read what it meant,
I felt it….in a tangible way.
Rhizoo – to be rooted, strengthened with roots, constant.
She went on to say that a plant or tree are as strong as it's roots are deep. The deeper you and I are rooted in the unfailing love of God, the less we sway when the winds of life blow harshly.
This word, in the bible is used in Ephesians 3:17 which states,
"Then Christ will make his home in your heart, as you trust in Him.Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong."
This to me is nothing less than amazing, but it only gets better.
Today in worship, I'm overwhelmed with the goodness of God and His unconditional love He has for me.
Tears begin to roll down my face.
In my head, all of the songs are about Him being strong and my strength comes from Him.
In this moment His gentle words gave rest to my soul, "You don't have to be strong."
It was then that He gently reminded that when I am weak, He is strong.
All I could think is how weak I've felt this past month.
Physically, Emotionally, Mentally, and Spiritually, BUT in an instant
an unexplainable peace flooded my body, through the veins, and straight to the heart.
His timing couldn't have been so perfect.
It was a little while later, that I went on a run. I was running my usual route that I always run, just another typical day. To the stop sign, around the school, and the long stretch home.
After I ran, I decided I would walk another lap for good measure.
As I was walking, I found a resting place.
Between two trees.
All alone with Jesus.
On a bench that appeared ever so appealing to me.
So I did.
I sat there and begin to pray. With tears rolling down my face, I begin to worship The Lord out Loud, not caring who heard. It was nice to sit still and just be. With my busy schedule, that doesn't happen much, but this time it did. I begin to just bask in his presence and the truth He was speaking over me.
After finally getting up, I walked by this tree.
This wasn't just any tree, but this was a tree that I pass EVERY TIME I go running.
BUT this time, I noticed something different about it. It was screaming at me. Desperate for attention.
This time I saw it's roots.
They were thick.
They were HUGE.
They were strong.
They were intertwined and overlapping.
They were supportive from all sides.
They were providing life for the tree.
THEY WERE DEEP.
On any normal day, this would've just been deemed as a good Instagram photo, but today it meant so much more to me in this moment.
I was able to acknowledge the importance of those roots.
The role that they play and how they dictate the wellness of that tree.
Without roots, there is no life.
A little something so profound:
The deeper the roots are, the harder it is to uproot it.
Many people, including myself sometimes don't emphasize the importance of the roots as much as we should.
Why?
I personally think because they aren't what is seen.
Someone may walk up or even see from a distance and make the comment, "Wow, that's a beautiful tree."
But never would a person walk up or see from a distance and say, "Wow, that tree has beautiful roots."
However, I find this distinctively unique that in Hebrews it's stated that,
"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."
Some people think no body will see their roots because they are covered up, so why should I develop them?
Can't I just fake them out by modifying all of my behavior?
Let me tell you that maybe you can get away with this for a while, but eventually a storm will come your way and your stance will portray the depth of your roots.
That's not me prophesying bad things over you, but that's me reiterating what Jesus said in John,
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
It's not a matter of IF, it's a matter of WHEN.
Maybe it is time for us to go back to being rooted in righteousness and love.
Perhaps it's time for us to forget about trying to impress others with what's often times really a facade on the outside.
Possibly the best thing we can do for ourselves and others is work on grounding ourselves in the love, truth, and righteousness of God because in those roots, may we be grounded in the grace to overcome.
Maybe, just maybe, if we did this, it would NATURALLY flow outwardly growing us into this beautiful tree that we were always intended to be. Rather than just modifying behavior with roots that are dry, eat up, shallow, or for that matter, non existent.
All of that to say, with finals coming up, work almost being over, countless projects and presentations due, I've learned that being rooted with my righteousness in Christ is what's most important and the only thing that will keep me strong.
He is my strong tower, the wings in which carry me.
He is my fortress, a rock in which I stand.
He is my deliver, and the Great I am.
My prayer for those who are reading this blog is that you would also see the importance of the things that are unseen like the roots. That you would be grounded deeply into The Lord, so when storms, struggles, winds, rain, and lightening come, your foundation isn't shaken and you're left standing.
I would even go so far to challenge you as I have done by asking yourself,
"How deep are my roots?"
"Can I afford to go deeper?"
Everyone's answer to that last question, if you're honest with yourself, will be yes.
