Rooted in Christ

Dear Redeemed,

This has been one of the busiest weeks for me on record! It was exciting to touch base with all the pastors from around the state and make new connections with other Kingdom workers. With that said, I regrettably cannot produce a very long pastors corner this week. But I did want to leave you with the brief exhortation from the theme verse of the state annual meeting.

Colossians 2:6-7 says, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith just as you were instructed and overflowing with gratitude,” (NASB).

Many of you have seen the news and updates on hurricane Ian which hit Florida this week and is now making its way into the Carolinas. I’ve never been through a hurricane before but I can imagine it is quite a thing to see the trees being pushed around by the high winds. It’s pretty incredible that they manage to stay in place despite 156+ mph winds. Despite the buildings being destroyed around them, many of those palm trees have seen many a storm. They might lose some fronds and bark but the tree remains rooted because it was built for withstanding such harsh conditions. But ultimately it is those trees that have shallow roots that do not make it through the storm.

Life throws many of us storms. Some of us are used to more storms than others. Some of us have had our faith tested more than others. One thing that stands out to me though, is that when those believers that are mature in their faith go through such trials, they usually come out on the other side of things quite differently than those who either have no faith or have little faith. It is no surprise that the main difference in the way people handle the various storms in life is dependent upon how rooted in Christ a person is.

1 Peter tells us that we have a living hope in Christ. It is active and alive. It is breathing life into those who trust in the name of Jesus. It is that hope that establishes our roots. This hope is not just an “I hope this actually happens,” type of hope. It is a hope that knows that God will come through on His promises because He always has and always will. We know that God will save those who have placed their trust in Christ. We know that God will righteously judge all wrongdoings and justice will prevail. We know that He will give us eternal bodies that will not see death or decay. We know that sin has been and will completely be defeated!

So church, let this hope sustain you through the various trials of life. Let this take root in your life because of the work of Christ. Trust in Him with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. It is human understanding that leads to doubt, fear, and a lack of faith. It is trust in Him that establishes a firm foundation. Church, be blessed, live in light of the Kingdom, and make disciples!

Your fellow bond-servant,
Pastor Trenton