Taking a Turn – Devotion 25

Life takes many twists and turns.  It can feel like we are on a non-stop rollercoaster and not sure if we will ever reach a destination.  We might imagine that we are the bottom person on a game of twister and we continue to get the farthest color away – stretching just to keep going and hoping nothing crashes on top of us.  Life poses challenges that we may be ready to tackle and it only takes a small gust of wind to blow us down.  But we rise. We keep moving forward.  We continue to find our footing.  We seek to understand where we are and where we might be going.  We fight another day.  And we rise.

This tree continues to rise.  It has conformed to the place in which it was planted.  It has strong roots so that wind does not conquer.  It appears, at first to be unstable.  It may seem weak and deformed.  In reality, the tree is ready for whatever happens.  Wind won’t cause it to snap easily because it has adapted to the current. Storms won’t tackle because it grows low to the ground, safer from lightening and torrential rains.  The roots are not compromised so the trunk is solid despite the initial appearance.  It is ready for whatever may come.

How about you?  Has life caused you to twist and feel as though you may be defeated?  It just might be that you are being prepared to withstand the storm.  You may be just where you need to be for whatever life may throw your way.  You could be ready to grow and provide fruit when all else has been beaten and bruised.  You may appear to be taken down, but you have been planted for times such as this.

May your roots be planted deep.  May you find stability that transforms.  May you be guided by God to withstand anything that comes your way.  May you see your beauty.  Bear fruit no matter what may come your way.

Focus Scripture:

Jeremiah 17:7-8

⁷ Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
⁸ They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
and it does not cease to bear fruit.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery