Grow Deep

Have you ever seen a tree that captivated you? I remember while visiting in the Charleston, N.C. area, I saw this tree called "Angel Oak" that just captured my attention. I wanted to stay near the tree all day and admire it. This live oak tree is estimated to be more than 1500 years old. That means it was there before Columbus came to the New World.

According to the Angel Oak website, it has "a diameter of spread reaching 160 feet, a circumference of nearly 25 feet, and covers 17,100 square feet of ground." It is believed to be the oldest tree east of the Mississippi River. Live oaks generally grow out not up, but this tree is old enough it has had time to do both. It reaches 65 feet high. It has limbs the size of tree trunks and they are so large and heavy, they rest on the ground or are held up by supports. Amazingly, this tree has survived countless hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and human interference. How can a tree like this grow so strong?

Live oaks are known for their longevity and clubs are formed all across the U.S. to register long-lived trees. These trees have a very deep root system that enable them resist storm damage. Due to the deep root system, they can resist drought seasons by storing water deep down or finding deeper water sources in order to nurture the tree. Besides growing deep, root systems of the tree spread way farther out than then the canopy that we see above ground.

One particular scripture that comes to my mind when I think of the Angel Oak is Jeremiah 17:7-8, "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He 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" (NIV).

The Angel Oak resides near the Ashley River. I don't know where its roots grow and upon researching root systems, it was hard to find information on older root systems. From what I gather, it's risky for scientists to dig into root systems for it they do, they risk damaging the tree. However, I believe the roots grow deep as for 1500 years this tree has lived through all types of adverse weather conditions, including heat and drought. And for living all those years, it leaves are still green and it still bears fruit.

How can we be like this oak? We grow deep in Christ. After we're planted in Christ, our tap root must grow deep into His Word. We need to grab hold of the truth found in the Scriptures so that if the ways of the world try to dig us up, we won't let go of our Lord. That's our firm foundation. When the storms come, we're anchored as the tap root anchors the tree. I found that using a systematic approach to reading the Scriptures works for me. This year, I'm following a Chronological reading plan. BibleYear.com has five different systematic one year reading plans with a myriad of Bible versions to select. I found that reading the Bible on a plan, God's word speaks to me most days. I set my alarm intentionally at five a.m. every morning to read and pray.

After the tap root is established, the tiered root system develops. We learn God's word for all areas of our lives to become balanced. We must continue to mature in our Christian growth by reading and memorizing scriptures. If we've memorized scriptures, when adversity comes we'll be able to pull up that source when needed. Memorizing Scriptures is an area I'm working into my life. I find to help me I'll write a scripture on a 3 X 5 card and keep it with me or write it on a sticky note placed on my bathroom mirror. For me it works best for me to work on scripture memory while applying make up and fussing with the hair.

If our roots are deep in Christ, then we experience Him as our Preacher, Healer, Comforter, and Deliverer. Jesus is the Word who became flesh (John 1). The Word teaches, corrects and trains us in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). By the stripes of Jesus, we are healed (1 Peter 2:24). When we know the Truth, we are free have been delivered from the bondage of sin (John 8:32-36). The Lord has planted us in Christ and we're to grow deep in Him for His glory.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV)

When we live Totally Transplanted lives, we're oaks of righteousness planted by the Lord showing off HIS glory. Imagine if we grew as majestic as the Angel Oak for God's glory. To accomplish that, our roots must grow deep in Jesus Christ our Lord. First, we establish the tap root to anchor on the Word establishing a firm foundation. Then the tier roots develop so that we can live a balanced life as we mature in Christ. Commit to grow deep in Christ for strength and vitality and mostly for God's glory.

© 2009 Shonda Savage Whitworth