Rooted and Grounded:

I have thought this a few times, but today as we were stopped in traffic I just starred at this cactus. I come from up North where there are all kinds of different flowers, plants, and trees in the ground, but here in Texas all these plants are so different. You know these plants are so unique because they couldn't grow in any other area then where God has planted them. God planted cactus in the desert because He knew they didn't need the same soil as most flowers. God specifically panted these plants where He knew they would flourish and be fed. How unique that He cares that much about where He plants plants. Surely don't you think He is that strategic about where He plants us?  I kept thinking of one of my favorite verses Jeremiah 17:7-8  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord. “For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.

A tree planted by the water is planted there for it's roots to extend in to the water, so it can grow. A root of a plant makes sure to send water and dissolved minerals to the plant. If there is no water the plants will not grow.

I believe God calls us in different places at different seasons of our lives because He knows where we will flourish best, and where we will grow the most. He knows the plans that He has for us, and He knows the direction that He's leading us, and He strategically plants us where we will grow. A plant grows by it's roots getting water and dissolved minerals, so how do we grow in the soil that He's placed us in? 

The story of Jesus answers this very question when He ministered to the Samaritan woman.
John 4:13-14  Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
He is living water. We grow by being rooted deep in Him.
Colossians 2:5-7 NLT  For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong. And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Ephesians 3:16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 

So How do we grow? We grow by being rooted in His love, and rooted in His word. How can we be rooted in God's love if we don't know what God's love is? By being in His word. By reading His word. By taking the time to be still and hear His voice. By surrounding yourself with people who are surrounding themselves at the feet of Jesus, meaning in His word. You are in Him when you know Him and have relationship with Him.

We flourish because we remain in Him with wherever He has uniquely and strategically planted us, in whatever season He has chosen to place us. Just like the plants on the side of the road; He has placed us where He needs us, and He is showing us how to grow; by being planted by the water (remaining in Him) and by stretching your roots deep down (toward or in a lower place or position) in to Him.