Strong Roots
Dear Friends,
As the long-awaited springtime approaches, we eagerly anticipate the breathtaking beauty of trees budding and flowers blooming, filling the air with the fresh, invigorating fragrance of new life.
This season of renewal reminds us of God’s faithfulness, His promise of restoration, and the new beginnings He offers to those who trust in Him. "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19). Let us embrace this season with hearts full of gratitude, knowing that just as the earth awakens, God is continually renewing and transforming our lives.
The Lord reveals countless profound spiritual lessons through His creation and the changing seasons. Each season reflects His divine plan, teaching us about growth, renewal, endurance, and His faithfulness. Just as spring brings new life, summer brings abundance, autumn reminds us of harvest, and winter teaches us to trust in Him even in stillness, so too does our spiritual journey mirror these cycles. "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made” (Romans 1:20). May we open our hearts to recognize His hand at work in every season of our lives!
Many of us view abundant spring rains as a wonderful blessing for farmers, especially when the rains come after seedlings have sprouted and begun to grow. But what many don’t realize is that too much rain — without periods of dryness — can actually weaken the plants.
Why? Because when water is always readily available, young plants don’t need to push their roots deeper into the soil to find moisture. Then, if a drought comes later, these plants — with their shallow roots — wither and die because they were never forced to grow strong beneath the surface.
The same is true in our spiritual lives. God often blesses us abundantly — surrounding us with rich fellowship, solid biblical teaching, and seasons of deep spiritual renewal. Yet, if we do not have challenging times to strengthen our faith and grow deeper in Him, we may find ourselves spiritually unprepared when hardship comes.
During difficult seasons — whether trials, stress, or tragedy — we may wonder, “Where is God?” But the truth is, He hasn’t abandoned us; rather, we may have failed to develop the deep spiritual roots needed to withstand the storms of life.
We must not rely solely on others to feed us spiritually. Instead, we need to cultivate our own intimate relationship with the Lord through prayer, time in His Word, and daily dependence on Him. Only those with deep roots in Christ will stand firm in the face of trials.
So, when you find yourself in a season of abundance, don’t take it for granted. Enjoy the blessings but also use the time to grow deeper in the Lord — so that when drought comes, your faith will neither wilt nor waver.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
…blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted
by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are
always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
May you enjoy the beauty of the Lord and His magnificent creation in the new season!
Blessings,
Pastor Paul