Have you ever watched television in day time? For a clear view of the screen, curtains must be closed, to keep out
the sun’s rays and cause distracting reflections to disappear. Sometimes in life, we also need to go through dark places,
in order to view the whole picture more clearly, and in perspective.
Sometimes we don’t fully appreciate God when life is good, and everything is going smoothly. It is often in the ‘dark’ times
when we want his reassurance. When we’re in the dark tunnel, we learn to focus on His whole picture, and know that
He is growing us in maturity and strength.
I recall life on our farm when a whole row of trees was torn from the soil in a wild wind-storm. An arborist we consulted identified the problem. The water level in that area was too near the surface, so those fallen trees didn’t have to sink their roots down deep. They were not securely rooted and couldn’t withstand the storm.
I think that God sometimes denies His children the ease of shallow roots in order that we must grow our roots deeper into His eternal reality.
Every challenge we face in life helps us strengthen our roots and assists us to stand firm and tall when storms swirl around us. Covid, the ‘invisible enemy’ has presented us with challenges and anxiety, and God is inviting us to sink our roots deeper into Him, so we will stay strong.
Violin makers are fussy about the wood they use for their precious instruments. They seek wood from the side of trees that have been most exposed and battered by strong winds. That timber develops under stresss, and has a strength that the ‘soft’ side of the tree does not have the need to create. The timber which has struggled to grow produces a deeper resonance than other wood.
If you are discouraged by this Covid storm, spend time feeding your roots with the encouragement and strength found in understanding God’s Word. His Bible is our ultimate guide book and instruction manual for life.
I was reading my favourite Psalm, 23. I love the image of a ‘walk beside still waters.’ I’m more reluctant to embrace the ‘valley of the shadow of death’ which God may require us to use. But even there, He is our hope and guide. As the Psalm assures us “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” He promises us that we will walk THROUGH this dark pandemic. It is part of the journey, not our destination.
May you know God’s loving care today.
Rosemary Francis.
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