rooted in rejection: The Peace found in protection

Is it possible to be worth more, and seemingly less? Consider a tree. It is strong. It is deeply rooted. It is firmly planted on the ground upon which it stands. It bears fruit after enduring all types of tumultuous seasons. A tree, especially a mighty oak, is resilient and girded up in strength. An oak trees roots are three times its height. They are embedded so deep in what is beneath the tree that it’s a wonder that it can even stretch its limbs to the sky. The dirt, the darkness, the devastation. One of its most valuable assets is hidden beneath the earth. Rejection can leave us feeling buried six feet beneath the ground but the way up, is down. We must be rooted in humility. We must be deeply seated in places of prosperity, nurture, and love. In order for us to cultivate our own harvest, to deposit seeds of potential in the earth, we must be properly fed by things that fuel, propel, and perpetuate growth.

As a tree starts out, upon maturation from being the seedling, it appears to be but a twig. It has big dreams. It stretches tall, and upright. Day after day it strives towards its goal. As baby buds, leaves, and limbs begin to form it takes on the shape of its desire. It begins to look more and more like that which it longs to become. What happens when all that we desire consistently pushes us back, denies us, and chops us down? We became the very thing we detest. If all we are fed is negativity, doubt, and fear we become those things. We must learn to find the blessing in every lesson. We must find balance and peace. The strongest tree will one day grow weak. So much can come along and cause infestation, infection, and disease. Doubt, discouragement, and denial is mental, spiritual, and emotional disease. It causes undue fatigue and duress. It makes it twice as difficult to accomplish that which we aim to achieve.

Were you told that you’d be nothing all of your life? If so, I can imagine you no longer strive to be anything, you look for everything; you are searching for the one thing that you now think that you are not. When in actuality, everything we need to become what we dream to be, we already are. Purpose and power is already inside of us all. A tree, even one that has been chopped down to a stump in the ground can still deeply rooted in fertile soil. In that place, it is evident why it thrives and does not wither away and die. Time will tell the truth of our roots. Check the soil and temperature of your environment. Be aware of what you’re being fed and who’s light, or shadows are being cast upon you. Remain humble and lowly. We are so much closer to the source when we are grounded… after all, Jesus walks with us. When we have our feet firmly planted on the ground, and we walk with Him, we give our spirits the freedom to soar. We find balance in learning what we need and cultivating what we possess. Know this: if you are in Christ you will never lack. There is nothing you or anyone else can do to destroy the plans of God.

You will become fruitful. You will find a way to stand during the storms, tests, and trials. At times you may get bent out of shape, but even then, you are not broken. Leaves may wither and one day fade away. You are still a source of potential. You are a seat in Gods kingdom. A bridge over trouble waters. Consider the log in raging waters. The log does’t sink, it floats. Sometimes all someone needs is a place in which to find cover, peace, and protection. They need something tangible to hold on to. Is that you? Are you an instrument in Gods garden to be used to pollinate the earth full of Gods goodness, love, and blessings? You don’t have to be perfect, but you are worth it. Sometimes the best thing anyone can do, is detach themselves from you. Don’t fret, or regret. The blessing is the lesson. Rather you’re standing ten feet tall, or barely two inches from the ground. God crafted you in the Heavens and then lowered you down… just a smidgen beneath His angels. That rejection was protection. You were created in perfection, at the hands of the Master. What looked like devastation and disaster was God’s perfect plan to deliver you from the enemy and man’s hands, and into your promised land. You will be fruitful, and multiply.

God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Be thankful for the stump it protected you from the stumble. -A.Slate