We have a rose tree in front of our house. One of my daughters has been faithfully caring for it and it is loving the attention. The rose tree is full with beautiful red roses coming into bloom. But without realizing it, we planted our rose tree in a place without any block from the wind. Which means our rose tree is often leaning.
We planted the rose tree with a stake. But last year, the tree was leaning away to the west. So drove another stake into the ground. And this year, the tree is leaning away to the east. We had to resecure the tree to the two stakes.
Life has heavy winds most of the time. Winds that would move us, break us, knock us down. Like our rose tree, what we need is something secure and firm to be attached. Christians need the truth of God’s Word.
As Jesus was praying for His disciples before His death, He prayed, “Sanctify them by your truth. Your Word is truth.” Holiness in you doesn’t happen simply because you exist. It’s a growth process, much like a plant. Without the Word of God, without that truth, you can grow crooked, or stunted, or vulnerable. To be healthy spiritually, you need the Word of God.
Are you in the habit of reading God’s Word? Do you open the Scriptures with a spiritual hunger? With a sense of your great need for this truth?
The Word of God also holds you to grow straight. You don’t get to pick your direction, based on how you feel that day or that year. Your spiritual growth is always straight, in the direction of the firmly planted stake of the Scriptures.
As you read God’s Word, will you conform to its truth? Will you submit your life to the authority of the Scriptures, bending your will to God’s truth? Jesus prays for you to be holy, to grow spiritually straight. Open up your Bible today with a hunger and a humility.