How deep are your roots actually?

I grew up in south Mississippi, where the weather can be less than desirable. Between raging hurricanes and unexpected tornados, I've seen my fair share of toppled trees from violent winds. Which is how I know that something unexpected happens. Tall pine trees that seem like they'd be fragile in high winds, often survive unscathed. Sure, they'd lose lots of limbs and maybe even their tops would be sheared off. But they'd survive and still be standing. On the other hand, big, majestic oaks, symbols of strength and stability, would topple like dominos.

One of the biggest reasons for this is actual quite profound. It's all about the roots. Pine trees have a deep, strong, tap root system. Oaks, on the other hand, typically have shallower spread-out roots. The way the roots grow makes all the difference.

Long before the branches spread and the canopy rises, there's something happening in a tree's life underground as it grows from seed and sprouts through the earth. Quiet roots are growing that will lay the foundation for its future survival. If it doesn't grow its roots properly, then it may not survive that first storm that rages against it.

Our Christian life is a lot like that. We need our roots to be strong and deep, foundational, if we're going to stand against the storms of life. These roots should have developed early on when we said yes to Jesus. But sometimes they don't.

And so, we can show up, do our best, but still wonder if we have what it takes to follow God. Why? Because we don't trust our roots. Or maybe we don't even know if our roots are even there. It's not that we doubt God, but it can feel like we're missing some key things at a foundational level. You seem strong and majestic to others, but like the oak tree your roots may feel shallow.

That's what this next series is about.

Strong Roots: Grounded and Growing in Faith is a seven-week journey through the core of what it means to follow Jesus. We're going to look at our roots and see if they are healthy. We're going to check out some foundational things to make sure we can be confident when life gets tough. It's a refresher for those who have been following Jesus for a while, but it's also an invitation for anyone who wants to go deeper and discover what it means to have good roots with Jesus.

Whether you've been walking in faith for decades or you're just finding your footing, this series will help make sure your roots are strong. So come ready to dig in. Come ready to grow. Come ready to let God strengthen what’s beneath the surface.