Still Standing

September 23, 2026

From Pastor Eileen

“Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith” (Colossians 2:6 & 7).

Two weeks ago, my husband and I visited Bryce Canyon. Everywhere we looked there were incredible views, towering cliffs, deep canyons, and thousands of hoodoos carved into the red rock.

But one particular tree caught my attention. It was growing right on the edge of the canyon.

Its trunk was twisted and weathered. Several of its roots were completely exposed, sitting up over the rocky ground. Some of them looked as though they were barely holding on. And yet, at the end of those branches were green needles. It was still alive!!

I stood there looking at that tree, thinking, How is this possible? How does a tree survive when so much of its root system is exposed? Where are the roots that are feeding it? What is holding it in place?

I could see some of its roots, but I couldn't see all of them. My mind began to think through what lessons could be learned from this little tree that seemed to be barely hanging on. Just because I couldn’t see the roots didn’t mean they weren’t there.

Sometimes life can look a lot like that tree. There are seasons when we feel exposed. Circumstances may strip away things we once depended upon. We may find ourselves standing in a place we never expected to be, wondering how we're going to keep going.

From the outside, someone may even look at us and wonder how we are still standing. But there may be roots beneath the surface that no one else can see.

Time spent with God.

A promise from Scripture that we have held onto for years.

A prayer whispered when nobody else knew we were struggling.

A relationship with someone who encouraged us when we needed it most.

A faith that has grown quietly through years of walking with Jesus.

Those roots may not be visible to everyone else, but they are there. The Bible says, “Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith” (Colossians 2:7).

Notice the word rooted. Roots aren't glamorous. Nobody looks at a tree and admires the part underground. We admire the branches, the leaves, the flowers and the fruit. But the hidden part is what gives the visible part its strength. The same is true in our relationship with Christ.

We can spend a lot of time trying to make our lives look healthy on the outside. But what matters most may be happening where nobody else can see it. And sometimes, the very storms that expose our roots can remind us how important they are.

I don't know what that tree has endured. I don't know how many storms have passed over it, how many winters it has survived, or how long it has stood there on that canyon wall. But I do know this - it is still standing. 

And maybe someone reading this today needs that reminder.

You may feel weathered.

You may feel exposed.

You may wonder how much longer you can keep standing.

Don't judge the strength of your roots by what you can see. Keep putting your roots down into Christ. Keep opening His Word. Keep praying, even when the prayer is simple. Keep trusting Him.

Sometimes God is doing His deepest work in the places no one else can see and when the storms come, our strength won't ultimately come from how strong we look on the outside. It will come from where our roots are planted.

What is happening beneath the surface of your life right now? Are your roots reaching deeper into Christ, or have you been trying to stand on your own?

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith” (Colossians 2:6 & 7).