We smelled something sour, but stumbled upon something stunning. While backpacking with one of my brother-in-laws near the Cache River State Natural Area in southern Illinois, we were suddenly enveloped by a foul odor that stopped us in our tracks. But unlike most common-sense hikers, we followed our noses—all the way to the most enormous tree we had ever seen: the historic, state-champion cherrybark oak tree. An information placard beside it explained that the tree was more than three-hundred years old, stretching one-hundred feet skyward, and over eight feet in diameter. And once I breathed the clean air of Kentucky again, I surfed the internet for answers about its gargantuan growth—and its unwelcome smell. 

The tree’s malodorous musk remains a mystery, but its massive growth is no secret: this giant oak grows deep before it grows tall. It grips the earth and gathers all the life-giving nutrients it needs through its roots. Despite countless tornadoes, ice storms, floods, and environmental changes, it has grown heavenward and held its ground all because it is anchored underground. Never underestimate the strength of deep roots!

Deep roots in Christ are also the key to weathering every storm of life and growing heavenward in spiritual maturity. This is why the apostle Paul commanded believers to be “rooted and built up in Him” (Col. 2:7a). If you yearn to grow tall into an “oak tree” Christian and bear God-glorifying fruit in your life, you must be connected to Jesus—drawing spiritual sustenance from Him just as roots draw nourishment from the soil. As Isaiah the prophet said, “take root downward, and bear fruit upward” (Isa. 37:31b). Jesus used a similar image when He assured, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5, KJV).

Roots also prevent a tree from being uprooted during wind and storms, and vehement tribulations and violent temptations won’t be able to knock you down when you are rooted in Jesus. Tornadoes of life-trouble and hurricanes of temptation may tear off some bark and branches—they may leave their mark on you—but you will remain standing when you are rooted in Christ. As Jeremiah the prophet illustrated,

“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit” (Jer. 17:7-8, NLT).

The strength of your Christian life depends on what lies beneath the surface. Are you burying your roots in Christ through prayer, time spent in His word, worshipping with His people, and walking in obedience to Him?

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