I’ve watched tall pine trees that weight hundreds of pounds sway under the power of an invisible wind. They stand so tall, so straight, reaching up towards the heavens. How does something so tall and so solid sway like that?
Their strong deep roots and flexible body are able to bend with the wind and remain standing. All the loose pine needles and cones fall or blow away.
The tree stands.
Sometimes people can sway pretty good, sometimes not. (Perhaps it has to do with how well we are grounded, and what we are grounded to.)
“....having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” (Colossians 2:7 NASB) Storms come to all of us.
Health fails, someone leaves, or dies. Friends fail us, even family. Betrayal happens. Tragedy strikes and disasters happen. But if we are grounded in God’s love and established in His truth, we can sway with the heartbreak, bear the winds, and wait for it to pass. Like the tall pine, we can bend with the invisible wind until it calms.
Our priorities are changed as the storm makes us turn loose of things that don’t really matter.
I recently clipped off the remaining hair left from ongoing a client-friend’s chemo treatments. It was not the first time I have walked thru that with a woman. Each time, the relationship we had was built mainly all about their hair color or style. When cancer hits, the hair hits the floor in the fight for life. Suddenly what was so important is less so.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 KJV) When the storm winds of cancer blow, God is our strength.
Yes, treatments help, surgeons help, cures happen, recovery happens… but walking through all of that in the strength provided by our Father is a very, very present help in trouble.
Does panic overwhelm?
Sometimes, yes.
Does our faith waiver?
Sometimes, yes.
But our faith is not in OUR ability to believe. It is in the God in Whom we believe! Jesus did not condemn the frightened father asking for his son’s life.
“’If you can’?” said Jesus.
“Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 NIV my emphasis) We are welcomes to admit our need, welcomed ton honestly take the anxiety straight to Him.
“Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
(Psalm 94:17-19 NIV) We were never promised we would not face fear.
In fact, we are told we would.
WHEN I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”(Psalm 56:3 NIV, my emphasis) Winds do come that are more than the tall pines can endure without breaking. They do get damaged, twisted, broken off, even uprooted...when the storms come.
I want to be like those pines....ever green, standing tall and straight, yet flexible..remaining firmly rooted. At least I want to want to. Often I am rigid and unbending.
Sometimes I seem to forget where my roots reach to and forget to be grateful for the firm solid soil under me.
Even if the storm uproots the pine, even if things look as if my world will end… It will not. My flesh may fail, but my flesh will not endure eternity anyway, storm or no storm.
But my eternal life ? It is secure. For now and for eternity.
Hallelujah
