Many plants have an amazing ability to survive and regenerate even after extremely traumatic events. They can get uprooted, torn into pieces, or have every part broken off and carried away. Even through all of this, they can sprout anew, sometimes stronger than before. Plants that grow along rivers and streams which frequently flood, are especially adapted to regenerate. When high waters come through and tear and break up everything in its path, the pieces of plants that come to rest in the mud and debris sprout roots and grow in their new home. Gardeners have learned to take advantage of this trait to propagate almost every plant under the sun.
Sometimes in our our own live’s we may experience our own uprooting. We may experience a quick change that pulls us clean out of where we’ve been that places into an entirely new situation. We can get torn loose from a job, experience a sudden loss; or, are stunned by a new medical diagnosis. It might be something completely unexpected and it leaves us struggling to adapt into a whole new situation.
Or maybe God has strongly showed you His will, and He is encouraging you to make a big change in your life. It may be that He is encouraging you to give up something that is at odds with living a Christian life. God’s leading, through His Spirit will do that sometimes and it is up to us to take a deep breath and follow His lead. After all, who knows better than our God at what’s best for us.
Remember those examples you have read in the Bible. When Paul had plans to go and continue to spread the gospel in familiar parts of Greece. He was instead, led by the Spirit to go into Macedonia. It was there that he was given the opportunity to minister to the people in Eastern Europe for the first time. Or when Esther, found herself in an extremely difficult situation that threatened her life and the lives of millions of her people. She decided to take a risk, plant herself in front of the king and plead her cause. It saved her people, and exposed an evil and racist plot. The Bible is full of such historic stories, and I know that similar things are happening all the time, at every scale, even today.
Life is full of surprises, and many times they can be difficult to overcome. But take heart, who can predict what God may do in our lives after they have been disrupted. I know that it could seem like a disaster, but God always intends things for our good. We might become more stressed than we thought we could endure. But be confident, God is continually watching out for us. He will be with you in every situation. God will see you through this time and care for you as your roots become established again.
Can I give you some encouragement? Go where God leads you. It is human nature to resist change and cling with all our might to the past and what we have. But our God looks with eyes that view far beyond what our dim sight can see. They see the future and the ripples that grow outward from our lives. He sees how we can affect many different people for good. People we may never have heard of, or perhaps never know. So try to let go of your tight grip on things that aren’t really ours to begin with. Be strong, and know that He has a purpose and plan for every change that comes into our life.
It may be hard, but try to keep a positve attitude towards the new things God is doing in your life. Be patient and in time your own roots will sink down around you and secure you. Stay close to God throughout these times. Pray and read His Word each day. Immerse your life in God’s way and He will show you the best path forward. Learn to be thankful in all things, for God can make any situation like a gift for our lives. Remember, God is working out some sublime and marvelous plan that will eventually take root and bear fruit. In time may you rejoice in the changes that God has brought. May it open up a whole new range of possibilities for your life.