Daily Devotional for March 15, 2023

I lease a 50-acre field from a friend.  Half of it I used for hay production.  The other half was covered in mesquite trees.

I don’t like mesquite trees.  No one likes mesquite trees.  Not even God likes mesquite trees.  In fact, the only time mesquite trees are any good is when someone is using the wood for a barbeque.

Last week, I decided it was time for all the mesquite trees on the property to go to mesquite heaven.

I have a tree puller attachment for my skid steer which may be the greatest inventions in the history of inventions.

All I have to do is ease the skid steer up to the mesquite and the tree puller clamps onto the trunk of the tree.  Then the powerful lift arms literally tear the entire tree out of the ground, roots, and all.

What I find most fascinating is the longest part of the tree is only seen when it is pulled up.  It’s the roots.

What allows mesquite trees to survive and thrive in inhospitable environments is its incredible root system.

The primary root is the tap root, which can grow up to 200 feet straight down while the rest of the root system can spread out and search for water as far as 50 feet outside the tree canopy.  Because of these long lateral roots and the tap root, mesquite trees are incredibly drought tolerant.  They can weather just about anything because they can always find water.  It’s all due to their long roots.

This got me thinking.

Mesquite trees and faithful followers of Jesus have a lot in common.  They both have deep roots.

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus talks about a farmer sowing seeds.  He said, “Other seed fell on rocky ground where the soil was shallow. They sprouted immediately because the soil wasn’t deep.But when the sun came up, it scorched the plants, and they dried up because they had no roots.” (Matthew 13:5-6)

The disciples, none of whom were rocket scientists, asked Jesus to explain what this meant.  He said, “As for the seed that was spread on rocky ground, this refers to people who hear the word and immediately receive it joyfully.  Because they have no roots, they last for only a little while. When they experience distress or abuse because of the word, they immediately fall away.”  (Matthew 13:20-21)

What will allow you to survive and thrive when experiencing the adversities of life is your deep roots in Christ.

Pray, read scripture, come to church, and continually look for God’s presence in your life.  By doing so, your roots will grow strong and deep.  

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me rely upon you.  Guide my life.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

The droughts of life are bound to come.  Your roots in Christ will save you.

As for the mesquite trees I pulled out of the ground, I will let them dry out for a few weeks, and then burn them.  I am really looking forward to it.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins