When it came time to plant the garden last year, my wife bought a packet of corn seed. In due time, they came up and we eventually had about 25 stalks of corn! 

As is the case throughout the world, our summer (and winter!!!) storms are getting a lot more violent, and it amazed me how those slender stalks of corn could withstand the 100-120 km per hour winds of our summer. How is it that they were still standing on the other side of the storm? Why didn’t they topple over? Especially when they grew to be taller than me! 

But stand they did, and I’m happy to report that we enjoyed many fresh ears of corn from our garden. With the autumn season just around the corner, my wife began the arduous job of cleaning out the garden beds. As she began pulling up the corn, we discovered why our stalks of corn – and all of the stalks we see in the fields around us – could withstand the wind! It was their root system!

Now if any of you out there are corn farmers, I’m sure you was chuckling at the ignorance of these two city dwellers; but in all of our years – and believe me, we were around since the dinosaurs! – we had never before paid attention to the root system of a stalk of corn …

Back in July, we published a story entitled, “Clinging to the Rock”, which emphasized our need to cling to Jesus in order to withstand hard times. What that story didn’t tell, however, was just how to accomplish this. As we looked at the root system of a single stalk of our corn, the “how to” became abundantly clear! The corn stalk has a primary root that is large and goes straight down into the ground. In addition to this, however, it puts out many more roots, encircling the stalk, that arch down from the side of the stalk into the ground, providing that stalk with extra stability. My wife counted as many as 16 of these secondary roots on a single stalk! 

The point is clear: we cannot stand strong if we only do one thing! Just like that corn stalk had up to 16 secondary anchoring roots in addition to its primary one, we also need multiple anchors in our Christian walk as well! Otherwise we will fall off of our rock at the first hint of life’s “wind”!

And just what are these secondary anchors that we need in our Christian walk? Here are some of the most common ones:

1. The Bible – The living Word of God: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12a NIV). When we get into God’s Word, when we meditate on its Truths, when we believe every word and let God speak to us through the Bible, then, “it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (vs. 12b). A definite anchor for our souls.

2. Prayer – “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thes 5:16 NIV) Prayer is our lifeline to God! Without it we cannot withstand the winds of trials.

3. Praise – “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” (Ps. 34:1 NIV). When we praise God, things happen: “…he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (Ps. 34:4b NIV). This is such a vital anchor root!

4. The Church – The “body of Christ”: “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Cor. 12:27 ESV). When we stand together as one, we are strong! And as such, the church becomes one of our “anchor roots”.

5. Fellowship – The Bible command us to, “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:25 ESV) 

6. Your relationship with God — “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV). When we seek God, spending time to strengthen our relationship with Him, we learn who He is, we learn how much He can be trusted. We put down major “anchor roots”! 

7. Faith – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6) When our faith is strong, we are putting down an anchor that can’t be shaken.

8. Hope – This one is not so common, but it actually one that the Bible itself calls an “anchor”: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain…” (Hebrews 6:19 NIV). Our “hope” isn’t some fickle wish, it is a statement of faith! Our hope is in Jesus Christ! And this hope is our anchor! 

There are many more, including obedience, witnessing, service, giving, etc. But suffice is to say, if we want to withstand the winds of life, we need more than to have accepted Jesus as our Saviour. This is our main root, but just like the corn stalk, we also need many anchoring roots. Why not spend some time refining and growing those anchor roots today? 

Inspired by Rob Chaffart
Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries