In the middle of this whirlwind
may gentleness become
the strong, long root
that fixes me to
what is true,
that calls to others
to come to you
to find that inner confidence,
that deep ironic peace,
that stands against the gale.
Only you, living in me, can take
my frail impotency and
empower it to heal
when all around
injustice rules
and wipes out hope
in every innocent.
Lord Jesus, keep me rooted
in you, inside the storm!
I was praying, feeling desperate. Once again I was truly in the middle of a storm in Côte d’Ivoire, back eleven years ago! The country was in political and social disarray, and we were tying to continue the work our Lord had given us in the community when, inside, our hearts were fractured.
Been there? Does this resonate now?
When fierce winds whip through the land, only the trees with roots stretched deep into firm soil stay standing. We, too, only find stability when our hearts are firmly rooted in Jesus, our Rescuer, Rock, Refuge, and source of peace. He is still the Prince of Peace!
To be firmly “rooted” we need to live our lives in a way completely devoted to him:
6 Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col. 2:6-7 NET)
Gratitude comes from experiencing his reliability and goodness. We are serving the One in charge of our lives and the world. But in addition to living our lives for him, we experience his work in us, changing us so that our faith is constantly strengthened. We know he is really right with us. We know he is reliable in every situation. Being rooted, we are drinking in his sustaining grace and power, that “living water” that never runs dry. Gale-force winds cannot uproot us. And being “built up in him,” we are being formed into the structure he desires. Like a house on firm foundations, we cannot be swept away like a house that is built on sand. As Jesus said:
“Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and puts them into practice– I will show you what he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep, and laid the foundation on bedrock. When a flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. (Lk. 6:47 NET)
There is key information there: we need to be solidly built up in Christ, our firm foundation. Firm in our faith, we must listen to his words and actually do what they say: “put them into practice.” The more we digest his teachings, and listen to his daily messages and promptings, we are collecting the building blocks we need to become strong. When chaos hits, we won’t just tumble.
Yes, he is our safe place, our place of rest. I am sustained by the imagery of him directing our lives in such a way that we find release from carrying our loads of worry, or of resentment and anger, when we take them to him:
28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” (Matt. 11:28-30 NET)
We should not come to him with trepidation: he is gentle, completely approachable, inviting us into his company. His “yoke” refers to his instructions—a yoke directs the animal wearing it. Christ promises to guide us, and his guidance is not a whip but gentle pressure that shows us how to live. He is also humble, not vaunting himself like the religious rulers of his day but inviting his followers to join him in being submissive.
If we are walking with him, letting him guide us with his instruction, then we are to be like him! Paul was learning this and shared it with churches he was teaching:
I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph. 4:1-3 NET)
Our “calling” is to do what we are instructed to do with humility and gentleness—not by domineering or using harsh words. That does not keep unity or peace. When are practicing gentleness we not only spread peace but experience it:
Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near! 6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:5 NET)
Gentleness is not what comes to mind as a first reaction when we find ourselves in the middle of some kind of storm. Anxiety or aggressive push-back are two natural responses. Instead we are to live our lives in prayer in every single situation! Thanksgiving accompanies prayer for protection and peace, because God answers. He gives us that inner shield from the chaos in a way that cannot be explained. It only comes from deep attachment to him, living life in his “yoke,” living out our calling “with all humility and gentleness.”
So let’s not let the chaos rule our lives, our thinking! Let’s make sure our heart roots are firmly embedded in the rich and strengthening sustenance that comes from walking life in submission to the Prince of Peace, responding with gentleness and humility to the harsh stabs that may come through words or actions. This is a lesson Christ has been impressing on me recently, constantly reminding me to respond gently because that is being like him, and actually can calm anger that is aimed at me. This does not say one must not respond at all, just that we are to respond with humility, gently. Jesus did that over and over while being attacked by the religious leaders. The Old Testament underlined this too:
A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. (Prov. 15:1 NET)
Do not let yourself be quickly provoked, for anger resides in the lap of fools. (Eccl. 7:9 NET)
So this is my prayer:
In the middle of this whirlwind
may gentleness become
the strong, long root
that fixes me to
what is true,
that calls to others
to come to you
to find that inner confidence,
that deep ironic peace,
that stands against the gale.
Linnea's Lines 