Palm Roots

On a trip to the sunny south, a strong storm blew in with gusty winds and pelting rain. I watched as palm tree trunks bent and swayed against the whirlwind yet soon recovered and righted themselves to stand tall another day. On other occasions I have also witnessed full grown palm trees planted in new subdivisions and developments and have noticed how incredibly short their root system is. A twenty-foot palm tree often has roots less than a foot deep. How can a tree with such a shallow root ball ride out hurricanes powerful enough to lift hefty objects like homes from their moorings?

Flexible trunks certainly help palms withstand raging winds, but the secret to their ability to take on typhoons can also be found in their roots. Though so close to the surface, the roots are interlaced together to form a tight tapestry of shoots. Unlike other trees that have one main long tap root that goes deep into the soil, palm roots are shallow but extremely interconnected.

The palm tree reminds me of believers. How can Christ followers weather the strong gusts and stormy gales of life that blow their direction? One way is to form a firm network of interconnectivity with other believers. In today’s verse the author of Hebrews reminds us of the importance of staying connected to the body of Christ. The perks of being knitted and woven together with fellow Christians are more than access to programs and potlucks. The encouragement that Christian fellowship brings us is vital to our very survival.

Sometimes we hear people claim that they love Jesus but not his church. I don’t find this dichotomy in Scripture. If we love the Lord, we should love what he loves; the church he died to redeem, however imperfect. A passion for Christ should impel us to bond with bands of believers. Lone wolf Christians mistakenly miss out on the benefits of belonging and leave themselves vulnerable to being uprooted during fierce storms.

In our digital age it can be very convenient to remain isolated and stream a sermon or read a blog in the anonymity of our homes. These platforms are great when employment, health, location, travel, etc. restrict us from personally assembling together. But as much as possible, for our spiritual vitality it is imperative to get plugged into a local church or Bible study group.

Heavenly Father, help me to be a palm tree believer. Grow in me roots that are intertwined with fellow worshippers who I can encourage and who in turn can encourage me to withstand life’s adverse winds.

Throughout this day: Thank God for times when other Christians refreshed and revitalized you. Think of ways you could play it forward and encourage a fellow believer in their journey.