ODJ: frozen

February 23, 2015 

READ: Colossians 2:1-7 

Let your roots grow down into [Jesus], and let your lives be built on him (v.7).

Snuggled in blankets, we settled in for one of the worst ice storms our usually temperate climate had ever experienced. Roads had been closed, schools cancelled and citizens warned to stay safely inside their homes. With our power out, we cooked pizza rolls in the fireplace, watched films with our reserve computer battery and slept under layers of blankets to keep warm. In the middle of the night, however, I awakened to loud intermittent cracking sounds. Layers of ice and snow had weighed the branches of the tall trees behind our house. Unable to bear the burden, they were taking turns crashing to the snowy ground below.

Declaring that He alone would be our ongoing source of life, Jesus gives us the picture of a vine and its fruit-bearing branches (John 15:5-7). Just like the lifeless branches that littered our garden, we can’t expect to flourish if we separate ourselves from the truth of God’s Word (1 John 2:3-5).

Satan would love to see us weighed down with man-made rules, meaningless arguments and broken ideologies. Layer upon layer, each lifeless, frozen word settles upon the next, until our faith is weakened, hearts are deceived and minds darkened. Our focus bent in the wrong direction, we will then forget the freedom of God’s love as our hearts grow cold (Mark 8:15-17).

Yet, the love of God persists (Song of Solomon 8:6-7).

Storms invariably will come, but we don’t have to be deceived. Paul’s encouragement is clear: “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him” (Colossians 2:6-7). Let’s keep our eyes on Christ (3:1-4). —Regina Franklin

365-day plan› Deuteronomy 29:1-29