Deeply Rooted: Remaining grounded, planted … anchored in a drifting world

But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers—never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.

Jeremiah 17:8-10 MSG

A couple of years ago I participated in a small group study called “Rooted.” Last year I wrote a blog post – that continues to receive a lot of great traction – about Mushrooms and Oak Trees. And this year, I’ve been increasingly interested in what it means to be rooted. Grounded. Planted. And perhaps even, anchored. 

On most days I am thinking about this in the context of my faith and questioning ways I can remain anchored during the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, racial injustice, social isolation, and persistent questioning of what I need to remain well. But as of late, I’ve also thought about what it means to plant seeds and nurture them within my new community. 

I lived in the same small town for 18 years. But after relocating for college, I entered a perpetual state of relocation. Partially due to the nature of being a college student and later in life because of changing circumstances, I never lived in one place for longer than three years. That’s a lot of movement! 

So it feels awkward to be nearing the four-year mark of living in my new – now, not so new – city. And as I think about my nearing relocation anniversary, I also think about how drastically my life has changed over the last two years. It doesn’t even seem like it has been that long. 

In both instances – my new city and my new life – I’ve learned what it means to settle in while still growing. I’ve experienced the joy of cultivating deep and meaningful relationships. I’m witnessing the fruit of intentionally engaging in community and then investing my time, as well as talents, in meaningful service. It has remained rewarding to learn and then build on the knowledge that can only be gained through … staying a little while longer. I am learning yet again to bloom where I have been planted.

My new city is beginning to feel more and more like home. And my new life feels more and more like the life I was created to live. There is so much more room to grow and a lot more to know. But I am grateful. I embrace this time to be deeply rooted. To nurture my seeds. To be planted. 

I invite you to consider what it means to cultivate deep roots in this season, to nurture all you’ve planted and to bloom RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE. To help you in your moment(s) of reflection, I’d like to share a gospel classic with you: