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Quiet Time

    by Kasia Kedzia

My Roots Are Showing!
Date Posted: November 18, 2008

I used to think that in order to feel uprooted I had to in fact physically leave one place and move to another. I am learning, however, I can be uprooted and completely turned on my head without moving at all.

I recently read about the transplanting of plants. I know this is quite random but bare with me. Plants are often re-potted multiple times and yet transplanting them does not hurt them. In fact, it is actually good for the ones that survive because it makes their roots stronger. As a result of transplanting the plants’ roots grow deeper.

Often I have felt like those plants- uprooted and turned upside down. Sometimes I have endured the changes willingly, and other times I have been more reluctant. Almost all of the times the changes occurred simultaneous to some major move in my life. So imagine my surprise when I have found myself feeling completely uprooted without going anywhere. For the first time in my life when I have felt like I was settled in one place and stabilized I find myself being uprooted in a way yet again. The uprooting has come in the form of challenges at work. As I face these challenges I can see that they are just the beginning of something a lot bigger. Even though I have not moved those around me are shifting and change is happening despite my constant state of being. I also see how I am being called to change- to be more patient as well as more thorough (thoroughness usually requires great patience, or so I’m told).

2 Corinthians 6:4-9 (The Message) 4Our work as God's servants gets validated--or not--in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; 5 when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; 6 with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; 7 when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our best setting things right; 8 when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; 9 ignored by the world, but recognized by God;

This verse struck such a deep cord in me as I read it. I began to see how I have sought security and validation in my work. Yet in my hurry to get as many things done as I could, I have often missed important details. I have also focused so much on myself and my ‘performance’ at work I have at times lost site of those watching me and checking to see if I will stay my post- if I will practice what I preach. At times I have felt falsely accused and when these times have come it has been easy to want to throw myself a pity party and simply turn away from the challenge at hand. Yet, at other times I was simply lazy. I am seeing more and more that when challenges come they are but an opportunity for my roots to grow stronger and more rooted in my faith in God instead of myself. Instead of pushing the challenge away out of fear I am called to work harder with a pure heart, clear head and steady hand. Instead of rebelling out of weakness and feeling a loss of control, I am learning to conquer that which I once ran from and gain courage from gentleness. A lot of work lies ahead and I cringe at even the thought of it but I am learning to accept that true holiness and honest love will always require some hard work.

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Biography Information:
Gods brought me a long way from the New York City Housing Projects. I studied the Bible, repented, and was baptized for the forgiveness of my sins when I was 17 and have been repenting and striving towards heaven ever since. The hardest thing about becoming a Christian at 17 was trusting that God would take care of me, meet my emotional teen needs, and help me overcome my enormous insecurity...what else would a teen girl have trouble with?

Since those first days, I have made it out of the Projects, finished my Masters degree in International Development, and moved  to DC  to work in my field. As a young single Christian woman my struggles today are a little different than they were when I first came to know God, but who am I kidding, not much. It's the every day battle for my heart to be pure before God, to strive to please him, and help others to seek and know Him.

Over my years of a faithful walk with God I have received much grace and compassion and have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Through out it all one thing has stayed consistent: God's word. Through His word I have been inspired and it has kept me faithful even when faith seemed like a foreign concept and God seemed deaf to my prayers. I started emailing my Quiet Times which helped me stay accountable as I shared my struggles and fought for understanding. Some wrote back and said they too were inspired and could relate. I hope some of my times can help inspire others who are seeking and fighting just like I am, to get to heaven and take as many as possible with me along the way.

Like what your read? Check out my blog: http://stronggirlforlife.wordpress.com/
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