Trees-A Sweet Spot

I have a thing for trees. I’m sure I’m not alone in this. There is not many things that bring me more joy than wandering through the woods, hearing the rustle of leaves, or seeing a snowscape on delicate branches.

I have some favorites…. Can you guess one?

LOL!  The Olive Tree is most definitely one of my favorites.  Fruit trees, of course, how could you pick just one? I love a grove of Birch, walking through quaking aspens, or the vivid display of sugar maples in the fall.

Even the thought makes me take a deep breath and exhale and rest deeper, just me? Or you too?

Roots though, the mostly unseen, are necessary for structure and sustainability of the tree, essential to bear fruit, and nourishment.

Without roots, trees would lack stability and the ability to sustain themselves.

Don’t consider me a heretic, but what if you exchanged vine for root in the following passage. Give it a try:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Maybe I’m too analytical but I’ve always had difficulty with this verse because a vine and branch don’t typically go together. It just doesn’t make sense. But root and branches, that I get. There is no branch unless there is a root. There is no fruit or leaf, without Jesus.

Jesus, my roots, my firm foundation, my sustenance, my strength, my frame. The fruit of my life is Jesus.

““I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.””

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“You prepared room for it, And caused it to take deep root, And it filled the land.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭80‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The unseen, the secret place- the time you spend with the Lord away from any other eyes-is the root and foundation of your life.

It’s not church services, praise concerts, or the checked boxes you dutifully try to fill.

It’s you alone with Him, nurturing relationship and intimacy.  Can it feel unfamiliar and odd at first, of course! It’s like a first date, a little awkward, because you’re unsure of the expectations.

Trust me- every single one of us has sat “trying” to talk to Jesus and came up with no words to say. Even us-extra wordy people. 😂

This app is free and is such an amazing resource in helping your prayer life flourish.

Pray First – Prayer Life Plans

What’s really amazing is through this app you can connect to 21 Days of Prayer services. 21 Days of Prayer is an initiative that thousands of churches nationwide and worldwide have adopted to link arms with the big C church and be unified in seeking God and his heart.

The services have been instrumental in growing me. They are M-F at 6am and available for 24hrs to stream. Saturday’s are 9am, and Sunday you attend your local church. It starts today! Get to your home church and kick off this season right. There is a harvest coming in the fall.

Be bold and commit. What’s the 1 thing if you commit to doing over the next 21 days will change your intimacy level with the Lord?