Tumbleweeds

Tumbleweeds are nature's welcome wagon to New Mexico. It has taken me a while to understand how a tumbleweed tumbles! I've come to realize that it takes a certain set of circumstances to create a tumbleweed. First, the tumbleweed candidate has a shallow root system—not much anchoring the plant to the earth. Second, the shrub gets dried out, due to lack of moisture. Third, a high wind blows and uproots the bush, launching it on its way through fields, and across roads, until it eventually lodges in a fence row.

Tumbleweeds get trapped in the undercarriage of cars, and are easily ignited in fires—real nuisances. They must be cleared from fencerows, where barbed wire and fence posts trap them. As the tumbleweeds tumble, they spread their seeds, wreaking havoc in gardens and fields throughout New Mexico.

We need to make sure we’re not tumbleweed Christians. To prevent a "tumble" we must make sure we have a large root system. It is said the best plants and trees have as much underground as above ground. Our roots (belief system) planted in the Word of God and anchored on the cross of Christ.

In addition, we can prevent a "tumble" by not being dried-out as Christians. What causes us to grow crusty? It is when we major on the minors; we stress over uncontrollable issues; and we judge others as we refuse to be compassionate—love with strings attached.

Tumbleweeds lack moisture. Water is very symbolic in the Bible. We see it in the form of baptism, as we are submerged and emerged in identity to Christ. Additionally, water is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. When we identify with Christ, and are filled with the Spirit, we can avoid being a dried-out Christian.

Without a good root system of faith, and the proper moisture, any wind of circumstance can uproot Christians and take us places we were never designed to be. When we take a tumble, we spread our negative seeds wherever we go, affecting the lives of others much like the unwanted seeds take root in our fields. Not only should we prevent our own tumble, we should be in tune to other Christians in crisis. Some are at risk for a tumble, and others have already been tossed about by the winds of life. Unlike tumbleweeds, we can come alongside of them and nourish them back to good health.

QUOTE: By being in tune with the Son, rather than being torched by the sun, we can avoid our own tumbleweed incident!

“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper,” Psalm 1:3 KJV.

Today’s devotion is by Kathy Carlton Willis, wife to Russ, pastor’s wife to many, business owner, author, editor, publicist and speaker. Kathy Carlton Willis Communications encompasses her many passions. Learn more at: http://kcwcomm.blogspot.com/ or http://www.kathycarltonwillis.com/