Firmly Planted
Anyone who has lived long enough has at some point experienced the pain of betrayal from those we trusted, made sacrifices for and loved. It's the most painful when it suddenly comes out of left field and catches us by surprise. My family is no stranger to rumors being spread about us and straight out vicious attacks. It's even harder when people believe the lies without ever asking us about them. As I was in Disney on vacation this week, we went on a ride called Soarin. The sign read, "DO NOT ENTER RIDE IF YOU HAVE A FEAR OF HEIGHTS." Well, I do to some extent, but hey! It's a virtual reality ride! I can always close my eyes... right? As you sit down on this ride your feet dangle in mid air and it tilts and jolts with the scenery that's often viewed from many miles above the earth, although you're actually just a few feet off the ground. As others ooo'd and aahh'd at the beauty of nature...I screamed my head off! It was terrifying. Honestly, it was fun laughing with our friends, peeking through my fingers and trying to hold back the screams as my heart raced. They enjoyed my reaction so much they wanted to do it multiple times. Since I was determined to overcome my fear, I was more than willing to oblige. The second time was just as bad, but the 3rd time my husband showed me that I could plant my feet on the storage bin under the seat. With my feet firmly planted, it was a completely different experience. No matter what was going on around me, I was secure in my current posture.
As we experience the trials of life, we can face them with our feet dangling in mid air, tosses around by the enemy's attacks, or with them firmly planted in God's Word and our relationship with Jesus.
How we react to certain situations reveals to us our spiritual condition. If how others treat or mistreat you deeply, wounds or angers you, though it is human nature, we must realize our need to go deeper into His presence. With more spiritual growth there's less human reaction and more surrender, love and understanding.
We always need to remember how far we've come, but also understand that we have so much further to go to become firmly grounded and fully dependent on Jesus and understanding of His incredible love. Regardless of what others say or how they feel about us, we can remain whole and complete in Him. Our peace is not based on the approval of man. They didn't give it to us and we shouldn't give them the power to take it away.
Don't wait until the attacks of the enemy arrive to begin working your spiritual muscles, use all of your experiences to make you dig into the Word for your answers and draw you closer to Jesus. You'll find the strength and peace you need to overcome as you become firmly rooted in Him.
Colossians 2:7 (TLB) Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all He has done.
Psalm 1:2-3 (NASB) Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. Ephesians 3:14-19 (MSG) My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length!Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
