Unshakeable Faith

“Unshakeable Faith”
by Pastor Alli Munsey
May 10, 2020

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

• 2 Corinthians 1:7 (NIV)

In 2020, a false perception of stability was revealed, and we now see that everything on earth can be shaken in a moment. Everything on earth will pass away but God's word will never fail (Luke 1:37). Jobs, health, and relationships may come and go but God’s plan does not stop. God’s plan doesn’t stop just because the world has stopped. 

God is still working. He’s shaking things up and shifting things out of our life that need to be sifted out, and he’s bringing to the forefront things that are secure -which is our faith, our hope, in Jesus Christ himself. We cannot control the shutdown, but God’s healing, provision, miracles, and purpose cannot be shut down.

To find stability in a time of shaking, we must focus on what is eternal: our faith and our hope in Jesus Christ. Our faith life can mirror the life and growth of a tree. Trees have roots, a trunk, and branches that hold the leaves. A tree is analogous to a foundation; it is vital. The roots are vital to our health and growth. The tree trunk is like our spirit, it needs to stay strong because if it is not strong, it will not be able to bear the weight of the top of the tree. The leaves and the branches are like our influence, our reach can go far, but only if the branches have support. 

We can learn much about our faith life from the mighty sequoia tree. 

1. Where we sow, we will grow, but where we water, we will flourish. 

We must water our root system daily with prayer, worship, and the word of God. It is vital in surviving these times. It is vital to our growth as Christians. If the root gets dried out, then the rest of the tree is at risk. God wants us to grow up so that we can grow out. 

For us to grow as Christians, we need the water, but we also need the fire. The water is what nourishes us, but the fire refines us. 

2. We grow through the fire. 

The sequoia tree has fire-resistant bark. The fire actually benefits the sequoia tree. The fire creates conditions for regeneration for younger trees. The fire that was meant to destroy the tree promotes its growth. It is the same for us. The fire that we feel from difficult situations and circumstances in our lives was never meant to consume or destroy us; it is only meant to refine us and promote our growth. 

For us to grow as Christians, we need the water and the fire. The water is what nurtures and grows us and makes our roots healthy. But, the fire refines us and generates growth. The challenge of unwelcome circumstances can regenerate growth (Malachi 3:3). If we find ourselves in the fire, know that God is at work behind the scenes. 

We tend to guard our weaknesses, but it is just as important to guard our strengths. Unguarded strength becomes a double weakness. If we are overconfident, we will be influenced to seek others' approval. The parts of us that cause the most problems are the parts we’re afraid to look at. Soul pain is always rooted in identity. If we don’t know who we are, we will be easily manipulated by the opinion of others. 

3. Our reach and influence is not for ourselves; it’s for others. 

God wants to know if he can trust us with his reach and influence. We should always be reaching up for advice and reaching down to help others up. 

The sequoia tree’s roots only go ten feet deep, but their reach is incredible: they go so far and wide that they intertwine with the other trees. When storms come they are not destroyed because of the other trees around them. It is impossible to do this faith-life alone. We need each other, and together we can get through anything. We do not have to do it alone, and we should not do it alone. Together we can overcome anything. 

Reflection/Discussion Questions:

1. Where do you need to water more intentionally in your faith life? 

2. Where have you experienced the fire in your life during this pandemic, and how has God refined you through it?

3. What do you need to give up or change so Jesus can trust you and expand your reach?

4. Who has God used to help you get through this pandemic and to increase your faith?