by: Connie Rito

The deeper the roots of a tree the stronger and firmer it is. This will support the entire body of the tree so that it will not be shaken and broken by the storm and strong winds. This also determines how strong and how long the tree will stand still. In the same way, in our lives as Christians, passing through several trials and persecutions as we walk and serve the Lord is unavoidable. Our trust and faith in God determine our dependence to the One who has created and has given us strength.

Here in CSAFMI, we are undergoing several spiritual disciplines so that our spiritual roots would grow deeper. The discipline includes reading and meditating the word of God everyday, constant communication with the Lord through prayer, regular personal encounter with the Lord every morning around four to six o’clock, attending bible studies and prayer meetings. All these things help us to be firm and stand still in the midst of trials and persecutions. It is not easy to comply with these disciplines but we know that if we will do our best to be faithful and true to what we are doing, we will not be affected by whatever situation that besets our lives.

These disciplines will mold us and shape us to what the Lord wants us to be. The early Christians were not shaken even if their lives were in danger. They kept holding on in their faith because they know that God would never leave them and He would give them enough strength to pass all those trials that they were facing. We should always cling to the discipline so that we will grow and stand still because of the power that God will give us.

Bad situations, persecutions, trials, family problems were some of the things that the enemy tries to set in front of us just to weaken our faith. One of the members in Marikina experienced persecution by her own family but she continued in serving the Lord and holding on to the promises of God. This experience helped her to be more eager to serve God and be thankful to Him in all circumstances. It’s true that the enemy uses people that are close to us to destroy our relationship with God so that we will not continue to serve Him. However, if we are rooted to the word of God and are following the disciplines, there will be no room to entertain Satan’s tactics.

We can stand still, serve Him with all our hearts, and have confidence if we submit completely to our Master. Because we give to Him our best, God will extend His hands to accept and support us if we are obedient and willing to sacrifice our comfort zone just to please Him in every aspect of our lives. I believe that God will surely remember us if we truly depend on Him.