Rooted for the Storm
Roots stretch wide and deep. They are intertwined, connected, and alive. In a recent sermon, Jasmine Falero, V1 Church’s Children’s Director, shared a message of tree roots that powerfully illustrated the concept of spiritual rootedness. She painted a picture of what it means to be rooted in Christ and connected to the Church, and why it’s the difference between surviving the storm or being consumed by it.
Kingdom Community
This life will bring trails, and when it does, followers of Christ will either stand firm or be swept away in it. A tree standing alone may look strong on the surface, but it’s vulnerable to storms. In contrast, a tree in a forest is part of something bigger. Beneath the soil, all the roots of the trees are intertwined with one another. They share nutrients and stabilize one another. When one tree is weak, another gives strength.
This forest of trees is what the body of Christ is supposed to be to one another. That's what kingdom community looks like. “A singular tree is anchored to Christ. But the forest trees are anchored to the Church—and the Church is anchored to the Trinity,” Jasmine declared.
We can learned this from the four Hebrew men in Babylon. Thousands of years ago, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were plucked from Jerusalem and thrown into Babylon.
They were given new names, new education and a new culture. Despite being plucked out of their original roots, they remained rooted in kingdom values.
We read in Daniel 1, they all refused to defile themselves at the king’s table, and God gave them favor. In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the golden image. They were thrown into a fiery furnace to be killed, but Jesus met them in the fire, and they survived and came out not even smelling of smoke.
We learn of Daniel’s stance in Daniel 6. Daniel refused to stop praying to God after the king issued a decree that no one could pray to anyone other than him. Because Daniel continued to pray to God, he was thrown into the lions' den to be killed, but God shut the mouths of the lions.
These men didn’t survive Babylon because they were clever. They didn’t thrive because they blended in. They overcame because they were rooted in God. They stayed connected to each other, grounded in kingdom thinking, and faithful in kingdom practices. In this day and age, we must do the same.
Stay Rooted in Modern-Day Babylon
We are living in modern-day Babylon. We are being educated in its schools, influenced by its media, and pressured by its culture. And if we don’t remain rooted, we’ll be seduced by the counterfeit.
Minister Jasmine shared three practical steps to stay rooted:
1. Remain Rooted in Kingdom Thinking
“Don’t become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit in without even thinking.”
—Romans 12:2 (MSG)
This is a battlefield of the mind. The world is always trying to conform you. But God calls us to renew our minds, to set our thoughts on things above. To think like Jesus. To love like Jesus. To speak like Jesus.
2. Remain Rooted in Kingdom Practices
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances…”
—1 Thessalonians 5:15–22
Rootedness isn’t just about what you believe – It’s about what you do, especially when no one’s looking. It’s prayer, thankfulness, integrity, obedience and discernment. Faith isn’t a fad, It’s a lifestyle.
3. Remain Rooted in Kingdom Community
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers…”
—2 Corinthians 6:14
You can’t be rooted if you’re not planted, and you won’t bear fruit if you’re always uprooting yourself. Believers must stop church-hopping, stop isolating, and stop trying to grow alone. Everyone needs to get in a church, under godly authority and submit to the process.
Jasmine shared her testimony of how her older sister, V1 church campus pastor Jocelyn Perez, was the first in the family to be saved, and the fruit of her life made Jasmine hungry for her own relationship with Jesus. She found her place in the house of God, and God healed her marriage through a married small group.
“When I first came to the Lord, our marriage was shattered. But today, I’m happy to report we’re about to celebrate 21 years,” she testified.
That’s what happens when you stay planted. That’s what happens when you’re rooted in the right soil. Restoration. Healing. Growth. Fruit. Favor.
The enemy wants to isolate you. He wants to uproot you. He wants to convince you that you don’t need anyone and that you're better off alone. But that’s a lie. The Hebrew boys were never alone. They stood together in the fire. Daniel prayed alone, but lived connected to God because we were never meant to grow alone.
The following are 5 steps you should take now to get properly rooted in kingdom community:
Get planted—Join a Bible-preaching church and show up consistently.
Get connected—Join a small group. Serve. Build real relationships.
Get rooted—Study the Word. Pray daily. Practice kingdom living.
Stay accountable—Submit to godly leaders. Welcome correction.
Bear fruit—Let your life become evidence of the God who saved you.
Christians shouldn’t be a lone tree in the storm. We ned to be part of the body, rooted in Christ, rooted in community. Let your roots run deep, so when the storm comes, you’ll stand and not fall over!
About the Author
Jeannie Ortega Law is a chart-topping singer, evangelist, media personality and author from New York City. She can be reached on social media: @JeannieOrtega or emailed at Info@JeannieO.com
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