Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Self-control”
Our Bible verse for today: “But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:4 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Dry seasons can result in deeper roots.”
Did you know that some of the strongest, most durable trees in the world are those that grow in hot, desolate regions? The reason is because since there is so little water available on the surface, those trees have to send their roots deep into the soil in search of any moisture that can be found. As a result the roots are thick and tough, deep and far-reaching, and that tree is solid and strong. Even the strongest desert winds can’t knock it down.
There’s a spiritual metaphor in that example. The same thing happens to the people of God when we go through extended dry seasons in life. I’m talking about the tough times when difficult problems seem to last forever. It’s during such times that we have to dig deep in search of spiritual refreshing that will keep us healthy and strong. But that requires the discipline of endurance and self-control. It requires a determined effort to continue praying, to continue your Bible study, to continue your faithful attendance at church and your participation in ministry, and you do it in spite of the fact that life is tough at the moment.
If we do that, then when the dry season ends we find ourselves to be much stronger than we were before. Our spiritual roots are deeper and we are a stronger and more durable Christian as a result, one who is better prepared to weather future storms. And also, because you are stronger and healthier, more stable and more durable, you are also more fruitful. Your life will be better and more productive because you persevered through the dry seasons of life.
However, as James implies in James 1:4 above, this must be an intentional act on our part to use the dry seasons in life to dig deep so that we can grow and become stronger. We have to be self-controlled and determined to endure and to stay close to God through it all.
Not everyone does that. Some people allow the tough times and the dry seasons to draw them away from God rather than to Him. Some people get bitter and even angry at God, to the point of walking away from Him. When they do that not only are they sacrificing God’s help and blessings in the moment, but they’re also missing all the potential growth in their personal lives that could be occurring, and which would bear great fruit for them in the future.
James’ point (and it’s a point that the Apostle Paul and Jesus also taught), is that the storms of life present us with the opportunity for great spiritual growth. But you have to take advantage of the opportunity. Control yourself. Endure. Make sure you’re drawing closer to God and not away from Him. The dry season will pass and when it does, you will be a stronger, better, more durable and more fruitful Christian, because your spiritual roots will be deep.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 