Be a Cypress

I spent my childhood summers along the banks of the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country. Dotting the edge on either side of the river were skyscraper-sized cypress trees with huge roots that stretched into the cool, spring-fed water. These roots were large enough to stand on, and we often used them as springboards for diving.

Floods happen frequently along that river. So do droughts. Yet throughout my lifetime, and those of my parents and grandparents, these mighty trees have remained. Other vegetation may die off in the Texas heat when the soil cracks, or may be uprooted and washed away in the swift waters after a deluge. Not these cypresses.

I want to be a cypress. I want a faith so firm and strong that nothing can disturb it. I don’t want my soul to be thirsty, but to remain satisfied by constantly soaking in the Living Water, Jesus. When the heat is on, I want to remain cool and refreshed in the Word, knowing my roots run deep.

The more we include God in our daily lives, and dwell in His Word, the more like cypresses we will become. Jesus told the woman at the well, ”whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35b). His Holy Spirit will flow in and out, nourishing us no matter what comes our way. Drought or floods, good days or bad, like a cypress along the river, we will remain standing, deeply rooted, lapping in His goodness and mercy.

Dear Lord, strengthen me to weather anything by dwelling in me. Fill me with the Living Water so I may never thirst. Let me continue to be deeply rooted in you. Amen.

Go Deeper — Pull up this image of these mighty trees. Then picture yourself that deeply rooted and grounded in God.