In our mountainous corner of Northeastern Tennessee, hurricanes are unheard of. Those who live near or on the coast expect the potential of hurricanes, but hurricanes are never on the radar of those living in the Appalachian Mountains.
But when Hurricane Helene tore through our region, it left a path of destruction no one expected. Communities were ravaged entirely in an instant by the storm’s power. I once drove through the still recovering areas, and just off the interstate, a massive oak tree lay on its side, completely uprooted by the storm. This tree must have once reached one hundred feet or more toward the heavens.
As I looked at the tree, I was taken aback by the size of the trunk and especially the roots. We don’t appreciate the size or depth of roots until they are made visible after a storm. Yet despite the massive size of the tree and its roots that had developed through years of sunshine, rain, weather stresses, and the soil’s nutrients, the tree did not stand.
I could not help but think about the foundation of my life. The Lord reminded me of how crucial it is for my roots to be healthy, strong, and rooted only in Jesus.
In his letter to the church at Colossae, Paul encouraged the believers and us not to let our faith journey stop at salvation. A healthy, enduring faith requires ongoing growth, where roots deepen into Christ as our foundation (Colossians 2:7 NLT).
Through the daily pursuit of Christ, our roots grow deep. We present ourselves before the Lord through study, prayer, meditation, and fellowship. In that sacred place, the Holy Spirit nourishes, grows, strengthens, and roots us in our Savior.
Storms will come and attempt to upend our lives completely. Count on it. Sometimes, they are storms of our own doing, but often, they are entirely unexpected. We may have the appearance of having it all together, but to withstand the storms—to be standing in the wake—we must root ourselves in our Savior and what He accomplished on the cross.
Root yourself in Christ. Set aside time daily for prayer, Bible study, and Christian fellowship. The Holy Spirit will strengthen your roots in Jesus. When you find yourself amid the storm, take heart and find courage, knowing that your Savior is faithful. He will provide the strength to stand firm through life’s storms.
Eric D. Parks is a sports medicine physician who views his medical practice as an opportunity to fulfill his calling as a minister of the gospel in everyday life. In addition to his medical degree, he holds a master’s degree in biblical and theological studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Lindsay, have been married for over twenty years and are raising their five children in the beautiful mountains of Northeast Tennessee. He can be contacted at eparks05@gmail.com.