It’s good to check on your foundations now and then. We so easily get pulled into the world and then we forget our roots. We forget who we are and sometimes act differently, almost as if we are someone else. But before we know it, we feel empty and shuffle around aimlessly in the world.

We should rather take regular breaks and check whether we’re still strongly rooted. I still remember from my time at Wolwedans a block of vines that was located quite high up. The farm workers called that block the Cape – because you could see the whole Peninsula from up there. It was always so funny when I asked where is so-and-so and the answer would be: “He’s in the Cape.”

Well, the Cape was regularly plagued by the Southeaster. When the vines are still young and the wind blows so hard, it sometimes happens that the young vine gets twisted off at the spot where it is grafted. You don’t notice it immediately, but eventually as you walk through the block, the dead leaves show clearly which vines had been twisted off.

It’s logical, when the vine has no roots, it dies.

We too. When we get detached from our roots, we will die. That is why it is so important that we check regularly that we’re still firmly connected to our roots. Remember, we take in life-giving water through our roots. Through our roots we take in food to stay alive.

In whom do we trust? In our business, our work? Do we trust the one who pushes the button to deposit our salary in the bank? Do we trust in our debtors? Do we put our trust in a contract or maybe our bank?

If we trust in these, the winds of life will uproot us and we won’t make it

Let’s learn from Paul: ¹²… I couldn’t be more sure of my ground … Paul knows what he has to do. Paul can hit the curve balls life throws at him for a six, because his roots are firmly anchored in God. It doesn’t matter how hard life is. It doesn’t matter how bad it is in jail. It doesn’t matter how big the uncertainty about tomorrow. He is content. He is satisfied. He is at peace.

Because … because his roots are deeply embedded in his trust that God is with him. He knows God will never drop him. The winds of destruction can blow around him, but he remains firmly anchored in God. Not because he is brave or good, but because God is so big and strong and mighty.

Look, it’s not easy out there in the world. The winds are strong. It doesn’t look like yesterday anymore and tomorrow doesn’t really look that rosy either. It leaves us weak. Where will it all end, we wonder? How will we ever make it? We are worried and we feel that we’ll never survive the storm winds outside.

It’s time to check up on our roots. We must make sure that we’re still firmly grounded in God. God is the only One we can really trust, because He will never leave us. He always holds us by the hand and carries us through the storms. He will provide shelter. He is our windbreak and will help us to remain upright.

Therefore, trust in God. Anchor yourself in Him. He will keep us standing against the strong winds out there.

Scripture
2 Tim 1:11-12

Reflection
Are your roots anchored?
In whom are you anchored?
Are your anchored firmly enough?

Prayer
Father, You are my anchor. I trust in You. I can do nothing without You. The winds are simply too strong. Please help me to grow deeper and make God, trust, You an even greater part of my life. Amen.