Deep Roots

Back in high school I had to do a project that had us research the meaning of our names. I discovered that Tamara meant “tall palm tree”. As a family, we laughed at that meaning because at the age of 13 I was almost 5’9” tall. We all thought, how fitting is that!. However, there was a significance to that name that my parents and I were unaware of, and the importance it would play in my life on my journey.

While researching the palm tree for my high school paper I found out that these trees were more than just an overgrown piece of grass. Their root system is so remarkable and different from any other tree out there. Most palm trees grow their root system to their maximum growth below the ground before they are able to grow up and bear fruit. Think about that for a moment, they build their foundation BEFORE they bear fruit. One type of coconut tree takes twenty years to mature before it is at its greatest fruit bearing season! That's like a maturing child growing into their adulthood. The other neat factor is that the trunk of a palm tree is created in such a unique design to sway with the hurricane storms, but not break. The root system that has made its amazing foundation is responsible to anchor and stabilize the whole tree to weather the storm. What an incredible feature for a tropical tree that has to endure the hurciance storms it’s guaranteed to face. Any other tree under this pressure would snap!

Taking into account the aspects of this beautiful tree and comparing it to what my life has been, I have needed to use each feature to weather my own storms.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 paints a beautiful picture of the blessed man,

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They 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” (Jeremiah 17:7-8) NIV

This tree which is planted by the water sends out its roots towards the water. Picture Christ as the Living water and He is drawing the roots to Him. That drawing of the roots is the nourishment for that tree that only God can supply and it begins to nourish and grow the vast root system we will need to withstand the storm. Isn’t that a powerful and beautiful picture!! Christ drawing us in and building our firm and solid foundation!

Now let me paint you another picture, my life’s picture. When the storm of loss and grief hit my home, it felt like that plow wind that would never let up. My husband was no longer by my side. But the root that was nourished by the Comforter walked me through the waves and winds. He anchored me in His comfort;

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

2 Corinthians 1:3 | NIV

When the waves of hopelessness hit, He was the anchor for my soul;

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure Hebrews 6:19 NIV

The drought of finances came, He was my provider Philipians 4:19. The hurricane of chaos hit, He calmed the storm, Mark 4:39. The rain of exhaustion poured down and He was my strength,Exodus 33:14 . And even in the times of loneliness and fear he was my husband and my protector, Hosea 2:16, Psalm 18:2. Picture all of these roots growing towards the living waters fully nourished by the ONLY One that can grow them. Growing stronger and more securely anchored; preparing to weather the storms.

Beautiful friends, some of us are in these storms of life right now and the waves and wind are crashing and blowing from all sides, remember your roots. Remember to plant your tree by the stream of Life. Remember to draw from the water that will secure you through the storms. Growing those roots takes time and care. This is the relationship that God desires with us, and this is the relationship we truly desire with Him. One cannot grow without the other. So when we are tempted to do it on our own, remember the warning of the words spoken in Jeremiah just two verses before our text verse...

5 This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. Jeremiah 17:5-6 NIV

What is He saying to me:

Come, draw from me the Living water. I Am the One who anchors you. I Am the source that your soul longs for. Trust in ME.

What am I saying to Him: Lord forgive me when I have retreated from the Living water and tried to do life apart from you. Draw me into your Living waters. Replenish and nourish my roots, so I am fully anchored in You!