Rooted & Blooming, Flourishing In Desert Seasons

By Dalyn Weller

Feeling discouraged? Spiritually dry? We all experience difficulties, but we don't all flourish in those times. Using metaphoric language and plenty of scripture, this book is meant to sustain the weary soul and encourage us to root down in the truths of the Bible and bloom with faith. For those struggling in their faith, or someone just needing a faithful friend to remind them of who they are, Rooted & Blooming was written to lead the way in a courageous daily walk with Jesus.There are forty devotions to be read one per day, or one per week. Practical and thematic, the devotions are written to remind the reader how to face each day with confidence in the written word of God and what the Bible says to them and about them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Morning Mocha Press
• Release date: Oct 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781733824408

Dalyn Weller

Dalyn Weller is a small town girl, living her bohemian dream with her real-life romantic hero on a horse ranch in Washington State. She writes from the ranch with dogs at her feet, horses hanging their heads over the fences, and dairy goats and sheep munching grass around her chair. Dalyn writes devotional books and Inspirational Romance novels with a country flavor.  Visit her all over social media or website: dalynweller.com and be sure and sign up for her newsletter: Writing From The Ranch

Book preview

1

XEROPHILOUS

Read: Isaiah 35

The word xeric is an adjective that became useful to botanists in the 1920’s in their documentation. Derived from xēros, the Greek word for dry.

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The definition reads as follows:

characterized by, relating to, or requiring only a small amount of moisture

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The word referred to habitats and plants originally, but scientists used it generically to include a reference to animals. Somehow the word Xerophilous sprung from there.

It generally means to be in a state of flourishing in an arid environment. Thriving in a dry place.

The exact idea I had for the topic of this book.

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The references to descriptive words like dryness, arid, desert, blooming, flourishing, etc. are simple illustrations I find useful. It’s how my brain works. The Bible likens us to trees, being full of sap, or dry reeds, dry bones, and other such metaphors. They work for me, so I use them in my writing. I hope they work for you as well.

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I believe arid places and dry bones are part of life sometimes, because well, life can be hard. We get spiritually dry when we are physically or emotionally drained, as well as when we experience some kind of hardship or trauma. If we have been in a season of sin, or a cycle of negative thinking, we certainly are not living our best life or becoming our best self.

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If we neglect the gifts God gave us to equip us for life: prayer, worship, community, reading and studying our Bible, and even celebrating Him through appreciation of nature, art, music, and a sense of awe and gratitude, we begin to dry out spiritually. Who wants to be dusty? Not me.

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We become spiritually anemic when we neglect intimacy with God.

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There are periods of life when we have little choice about where we dwell in that moment. At some points along the journey our circumstances are just plain hard. We find ourselves in a desert place, metaphorically speaking. The Bible is full of stories alluding to struggles that result in wanderings as well as victories. They provide invaluable life lessons for us today. Jesus was tested in the desert. David hid in caves and wilderness when Saul chased him, and so many of the prophets spent time in wildernesses and deserts. The entire nation of Israel spent forty years being tested in the desert. In fact, it’s where they went from identifying as slaves to becoming an army of warriors. Let that sink in.

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With a thorough knowledge of the Bible we see the desert places are featured prominently in the Bible, and they don’t always end badly. I mean, some good things come from learning to thrive in harsh conditions. Take that to heart.

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Endurance and fortitude are positive and useful qualities to acquire in life. You don’t get them on the sofa. They aren’t developed in us through comfort and easy living.

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The Bible reminds us in Colossians 3:2 to set our minds on heavenly things, not to focus on the earthly, natural things. What does this mean for us? This life and our perceptions of it are not all there is. Look for more. Know there is more. Let it encourage you.

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I hope this book will build up your faith. I pray it will help you to flourish even though instead of wilting and being defeated by the harsh conditions you find yourself living in at times.

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You are so loved. Trust God even if you don’t understand what He’s doing right now.

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And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (ESV)

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*Definitions taken from merriam-webster.com

2

Rooted & Blooming

Read: Isaiah 53

So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.

Col. 2: 6-7 (CSB)

For a Christ follower, the ability to withstand desert conditions, in either our souls, or circumstances, requires believing and abiding (living, making our home) in Christ. Some of the more harsh periods of my life have turned out to be the most fruitful in the end.

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The key is, we have to have a tight grip on Jesus. Even when we feel weak, distant, or defeated. Your version of the Bible may say abiding, walking in, or as the Christian Standard Bible above says it, continue to live in Him. I’m practical, and I want to know how I’m to do things, and maybe you’re the same?

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These two verses in the book of Colossians are rich and salty. The Bible is fundamental to our faith, it’s the primary way we nourish it.

Marinate in the words of life! Saturate yourself in the words of truth; live life in between the covers of your Bible. Jesus, who is the Living Word, is there.

John 1:1 says:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Spending time in our Bibles is spending time with Jesus in written form. The Bible is a supernatural book. It’s life-giving for a believer when sparked by the Holy Spirit. Reading and hearing, meditating and studying our Bibles are ways we root down, and get built up in our faith. It’s a big part of how we daily live in Him (Of course it follows that we practice what we read).

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When we make a solid choice to believe what He says…about Himself, our selves, the world, and everything between the covers of that Bible, we are digging down deep and receiving spiritual nourishment. It’s a process between us and the Holy Spirit, whom the Lord promises will teach us.

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Being thankful is the secret sauce for being rooted and blooming, even in the desert. It’s the key to blooming spiritually in spite of circumstances contrary to human happiness. Gratitude is one of the ways we shine a light in dark places, because it’s not normal in our culture to be thankful when circumstances are in opposition to our happiness.

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Some of the most unhappy, ungrateful people have everything they could ever want in material goods. Money doesn’t make us happy. Neither does fame, success, food, (even chocolate), or winning a competition. Keep that in mind when your priorities collide with your commitment to Jesus.

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If we will restructure our lives so that we have some quiet, uninterrupted time with the Lord to read our Bible and pray, we will reap eternal and instant