"Blessed is the man (or woman) who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his (or her) delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he (or she) meditates day and night. He (or she) is like a tree (FIRMLY) planted by streams of water (living water), which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he (or she) does prospers. " -Psalm 1:1-3
Yesterday I went to a Mom's group at our new church. It was definitely not what I had expected or hoped for, but God showed up and spoke truth to my heart. The speaker shared about "The Gift of God's Word" and she shared the verses I started this post with. They are verses that I have grown up reading and knowing and have even memorized, but yesterday they sunk in at a new level and I had a bit of an epiphany... As I was journaling last night about the verses I was struck with the idea of the tree being rooted, which would result in it flourishing and growing big and strong, providing a huge canopy of leaves and shelter, secure and anchored from the storms.
I am in no way an artist, but I had this picture/image in my head of a tree with deep roots and then the huge canopy of leaves as shelter. As I began to draw it out the words just flew onto the page and it was like a light-bulb went off. If I am firmly rooted in God's Word and my roots grow deep, my canopy of leaves will flourish and I will be able to provide shelter/security for my family. If I am grounded in God's Word, I am able to be anchored and then extend my arms to cover those I love with prayer and truth from His Word. It is such a simple picture/thought, but it is profound when I really think about it. If I am not rooted in His Word, if my roots don't go deep, I will be blown over and uprooted when the wind and rains come.
I want to stand firm, to be securely planted and strong in foundation so I can offer shelter/security to the people I love. In order to do so, I must be in His Word. The verses above say that they meditate on it "day and night". Having grown up in the church and being raised in the Word, I sometimes get so stuck in the formulas or feeling the need to do things the "right" way. When it comes to spending time in the Word, I often struggle as I don't know where to start or what to read or how I should do it...how many verses will I read? What chapter or book will I focus on? To be honest, I don't think it really matters. God can speak through His Word, through any verse, in any chapter, in any book, at any time. Truthfully, if I would just make the attempt and effort to show up and read even a few verses of His Word each day, I believe He'd speak to me and whisper to my heart. So...here I am...convicted and knowing that I need/want to be grounded in His Word so I can be like a tree that is strong and big and provides shelter.
Yesterday I went to a Mom's group at our new church. It was definitely not what I had expected or hoped for, but God showed up and spoke truth to my heart. The speaker shared about "The Gift of God's Word" and she shared the verses I started this post with. They are verses that I have grown up reading and knowing and have even memorized, but yesterday they sunk in at a new level and I had a bit of an epiphany... As I was journaling last night about the verses I was struck with the idea of the tree being rooted, which would result in it flourishing and growing big and strong, providing a huge canopy of leaves and shelter, secure and anchored from the storms.
I am in no way an artist, but I had this picture/image in my head of a tree with deep roots and then the huge canopy of leaves as shelter. As I began to draw it out the words just flew onto the page and it was like a light-bulb went off. If I am firmly rooted in God's Word and my roots grow deep, my canopy of leaves will flourish and I will be able to provide shelter/security for my family. If I am grounded in God's Word, I am able to be anchored and then extend my arms to cover those I love with prayer and truth from His Word. It is such a simple picture/thought, but it is profound when I really think about it. If I am not rooted in His Word, if my roots don't go deep, I will be blown over and uprooted when the wind and rains come.I want to stand firm, to be securely planted and strong in foundation so I can offer shelter/security to the people I love. In order to do so, I must be in His Word. The verses above say that they meditate on it "day and night". Having grown up in the church and being raised in the Word, I sometimes get so stuck in the formulas or feeling the need to do things the "right" way. When it comes to spending time in the Word, I often struggle as I don't know where to start or what to read or how I should do it...how many verses will I read? What chapter or book will I focus on? To be honest, I don't think it really matters. God can speak through His Word, through any verse, in any chapter, in any book, at any time. Truthfully, if I would just make the attempt and effort to show up and read even a few verses of His Word each day, I believe He'd speak to me and whisper to my heart. So...here I am...convicted and knowing that I need/want to be grounded in His Word so I can be like a tree that is strong and big and provides shelter.
This tree isn't finished yet...it needs a full canopy of leaves and the strengthening of it's roots, but it is a work in progress and I am excited to see what God has in store.
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