NOVEMBER 18, 2014
Rooted
Love
Read: Hebrews
13:15-25
Do not forget to do good and to share. —Hebrews
13:16
When I think of all
the wonders of God’s magnificent creation, I am especially awed by the giant
sequoia tree. These amazing behemoths of the forest can grow to around 300 feet
tall with a diameter that exceeds 20 feet. They can live over 3,000 years and
are even fire resistant. In fact, forest fires pop the sequoia cones open,
distributing their seeds on the forest floor that has been fertilized by the
ashes. Perhaps the most amazing fact is that these trees can grow in just 3
feet of soil and withstand high winds. Their strength lies in the fact that
their roots intertwine with other sequoias, providing mutual strength and
shared resources.
God’s plan for us is
like that. Our ability to stand tall in spite of the buffeting winds of life is
directly related to the love and support we receive from God and one another.
And then, as the writer of Hebrews says, we are to “do good and to share”
(13:16). Think of how tough it would be to withstand adversity if someone were
not sharing the roots of their strength with us.
There is great power
in the entwining gifts of words of encouragement, prayers of intercession,
weeping together, holding each other, and sometimes just sitting with one
another sharing the presence of our love.
Lord, thank You for
entwining Your strength
into my life. Lead me
today to someone
who needs the love of
shared strength from
resources that You
have given to me.
Let
the roots of God’s love in your life be entwined with others who need your
support.
Insight
If we were left to our
own devices and determination, even the brief instructions in today’s passage
would be more than we could live up to. Fortunately, we are not left to
ourselves. God works in us to make us complete (vv.20-21).
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
