We’ve all been amazed at times by the rock-solid stability that some long-time Christians demonstrate when they are being pounded by terrible storms.
One person has terminal cancer but also has a permanent smile.
One person’s lifelong dream of a happy marriage is trashed by the egocentricity of a middle-age-crazy spouse, and yet there is no shaking fist, flaring nostrils or foaming mouth.
Instead, there is forgiveness toward the selfish spouse even if there is not the willingness to take the person back.
And what about the mature believer who is lied about by people at work or at home or at church, and yet the believer responds by pressing into his or her faith even more?
These are excellent examples of spiritual maturity. But they didn’t happen by accident.
They are, instead, the fruit of God’s “heart”-scaping.
Living in Miami, I’m used to seeing wise homeowners who prune their beloved trees before hurricane season starts. Yes, the trees don’t look as pretty when cut back, particularly the fruit trees. Yet, without the pruning, there would be so much foliage exposed that the winds would use the branches as giant levers to pull the tree over.
You see, the tap roots of faith that keep the tree upright in the storm are God’s ministering tools to keep the tree strong. But they can only compensate for so much when someone has become too focused on what impresses people or pleases self.
That’s why God often sends pruning experiences our way if He sees that we have become too focused on the externals to the exclusion of strengthening our roots of faith.
Listen, Proverbs 12:3 says “The godly have deep roots.”
I pray that you have deep roots of faith.
Your life will be more resilient and more satisfying even during the seasons of pruning.
Please join me in reading from God’s Word daily. This alone will do wonders for strengthening and deepening your tap root of faith, perhaps reducing the amount of pruning God needs to do in your life.
As always, I love you
Martin
