Family Trees Can Have Deep Roots
Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives on him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:7 (GNT)
My family tree is full of musically talented men and women. Some teachers, nurses, miners, tanners, and mechanics. But as far as I know, most of the family claimed membership in the local Baptist churches. And then there was another part of the family with rather serious mental health issues but we won’t talk about them. Dianne Neal Matthews (Mornings with Jesus) tells us about the importance of sinking our roots deeply into Jesus.
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During a recent appointment, I ended up in a conversation with the office receptionist about genealogy. She shared her frustration that attempts to research her family on her mother’s side had been hampered by the fact that the last name had been changed at some point. No one seemed to know when the change had been made or even exactly what the original name was. When she later discovered a horse thief in her lineage, she decided to stop her research altogether.
We laughed about her shady ancestor, but I’m sure we could all find a few skeletons in our closets if we opened enough doors. Each one of us has sinned; we all fall short of God’s standards (Romans 3:23). We may try to label people or classify them into more or less desirable groups, but thankfully, Jessus doesn’t do that. Neither a family history nor a personal “shady” background stands between us and His forgiveness and love. Jesus’s arms are open to everyone.
No matter what the branches of my family tree look like, I want to focus on sinking my roots deep in Jesus. That way, I can hopefully leave a legacy that won’t be a total source of embarrassment to those who come after me.
FAITH STEP: Take a moment to look back at some black-and-white photographs of the generations who came before you. Thank Jesus that each person pictured is part of your family (no matter how shady. Pray that your roots go deep in Him.
Loving Lord, thank You for being the life spring of our family tree. Help us to keep our focus on the here and now—not the past. May we grow in Your beauty. AMEN.