Grace in Motion

Dancing Through Adversity with Deep Roots in God’s Love

Sometimes the most comforting truths hide in plain sight. Today’s piece explores one of those truths—hidden in a familiar verse you’ve probably heard a hundred times.

Pour yourself something warm and settle in.

Kim M.

As dawn broke one quiet morning, something remarkable unfolded beneath the earth.

Deep below, unseen by the eye, roots engaged in a delicate ballet. With each twist and turn, they pressed deeper into the soil, seeking nourishment. These roots—humble anchors of towering trees and blooming flowers—were not merely growing; they were dancing.

This movement might seem fanciful, but scientists at Duke University captured this hidden dance, observing roots spiraling and twirling like dancers on a grand stage.¹ Each motion was precise, purposeful—dancers securing their place in the earth, even in the face of unseen challenges. Like these roots, we navigate life’s shadows, searching for something secure to sustain us when storms rage.

Not often associated with the poetic, even Charles Darwin marveled at this phenomenon. He saw roots not merely as appendages but also as seekers and explorers of unseen depths.² Like us, these roots seem to sense where they need to go, and they’ll bend, turn, and navigate obstacles until they find that life-giving source. Their unseen and silent journey mirrors our spiritual pilgrimage: often hidden from view, yet essential to growth.

Roots Dance Through Adversity

I recall one summer morning in South Florida. The air was thick with anticipation. Dark clouds had gathered, and the winds whispered of a coming storm. The Jamaican Ackee trees that lined our yard stood tall, their branches heavy with fruit. But as Hurricane Andrew approached, those once-strong trees began to tremble at the knees. The storm struck with a fury, leaving devastation in its wake.

After the storm passed, I walked outside, heavy-hearted. The mighty Ackee trees, once our shade and source of fruit, were broken—snapped like twigs. It seemed then that all was lost, that their roots had failed to hold their ground.

Yet nature surprises us. In the months that followed, I watched as those trees began to grow again. Their roots, though I thought they’d been defeated, had actually dug deeper, finding strength where there seemed to be none. Slowly, new branches emerged, and the trees began to flourish once more. Their roots had held firm even in the face of adversity.

Satellite image of Hurricane Andrew over South Florida

Storms come to our lives, too. They arrive unbidden, with a force that can shatter the very foundations of our existence. But like the Ackee trees, we have roots that can hold us fast. The Apostle Paul speaks of this in Hebrews 6:19 (ESV), describing our hope as “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.” Like the roots of a tree, this anchor holds us fast even when everything around us is in turmoil.

The journeys of Joseph and Job mirror the resilience our roots display when planted in adversity. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, could have withered under the weight of betrayal and despair. Yet, like the roots of a tree seeking water in the desert, Joseph drew strength from the life-giving source of God’s presence. God anchored him through years of hardship and ultimately raised him to a place of power, enabling him to not only rescue himself, but also the same brothers (who’d betrayed him) and, ultimately, the nation of Israel (Genesis 37; 39–45).

Job, too, knew the sting of loss. Everything he held dear was stripped away, yet his roots did not falter. In his darkest hour, when all seemed lost, Job’s faith remained rooted in his knowledge of God’s sovereignty and love (Job 1:1–2:13, 42:10–17). His story is a testament to the strength we find when our roots are anchored in something greater than ourselves.

In my journey, I have faced storms that threatened to uproot everything I held dear. There were times when the ground beneath me felt unstable and the winds of life seemed too strong to withstand. Yet in those moments of intense despair, I found my roots growing still deeper. God’s love—like rich, nourishing soil—sustained me, even when all I could see were the broken branches of my dreams. Like the Ackee trees, I found that what seemed like an end was actually a new beginning—a chance to grow stronger, reach deeper, and stand tall once more.

Roots Dance Into the Soil of Certainty

Roots don’t simply survive; they seek stability. They push through rocky soil into rich, fertile ground, seeking the nutrients needed to thrive. Paul understood this when he wrote to the Ephesians, describing how we are “rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17, NIV). This is more than a metaphor; it is a powerful affirmation of our established place in God’s creation.

The Greek word for ‘rooted’ in Ephesians 3:17 appears in the perfect passive participle form, which signifies the continuing result of a completed action; in other words, God has given it to us. (3,4) We don’t root ourselves; rather, we are rooted by the divine hand of God, who plants us in the rich soil of His love. It’s a gift—not an achievement—and it’s something that no storm can take away.

I recall a time when I nearly bought a house that seemed perfect in every way. But as the inspection revealed, beneath the surface was a hidden danger—a sinkhole threatening to swallow the entire structure. The foundation, though seemingly solid, was anything but.

Our spiritual lives are much the same. We may appear strong on the outside, but if our roots are not grounded in the solid foundation of God’s promises, we risk collapse when the storms of life come. God’s love is that foundation. It is the bedrock upon which we can confidently build our lives, knowing that no matter what comes, we are secure.

The notion of being grounded in love lies at the heart of our faith. From the beginning, God promised to be our foundation. In Genesis 3:15, often referred to as the protoevangelium, God declares enmity between the serpent and humanity, indicating that while sin has entered the world, there is hope for redemption. This verse hints at the coming of a Savior who will ultimately defeat evil—a promise fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Like the roots of a tree, this promise runs deep, anchoring us in a certainty that transcends our circumstances.

Later, God made a covenant with Abraham, promising that through him, all nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:1–3; 15:1–21; 17:1–14). This covenant wasn’t solely for Abraham. It was for all who would come to be part of God’s family through faith in Christ. It’s a promise that no matter how shaky the ground may seem, we are held secure by God’s unchanging love.

Reflecting on my potential home purchase, I see how this metaphor speaks to my spiritual life. Just as the house needed solid underpinning to stand firm, God’s immovable promises form the bedrock of my faith. By trusting in a promise-keeping God, I find the strength to face life’s uncertainties, knowing that I am securely anchored in Christ.

Paul’s words in Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV) offer a beautiful reminder: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Our roots do more than anchor us; they are our source of life, drawing nourishment from the rich soil of God’s love and growing stronger each day.

Roots Dance in Community

Roots don’t grow in isolation. Beneath the surface, they intertwine with neighboring plants, creating a vast network supporting and sustaining the entire ecosystem. Fungus in the soil forms a network of tiny threads called mycelium that wrap around or penetrate tree roots. This network connects different trees and plants, helping them exchange water, nutrients, and other essential substances. German forester Peter Wohlleben coined this network the “woodwide web,” testifying to the power of community—one that thrives through cooperation.(5,6)

This underground network is vital for the survival of the forest, just as our spiritual communities are vital for our growth. The church, described in Ephesians as Christ’s body, family, and temple, is where our roots find their fullest expression. We are not meant to grow alone; we are meant to grow together, supporting and being supported by one another.

In the early church, believers lived in close community, sharing everything they had and supporting one another in every aspect of life (Acts 2:42-47). They weren’t just meeting physical needs—they were also growing together in faith, encouraging one another in their journeys, and empowering each other to embody their beliefs—creating a community where each member could flourish and remain rooted in the love of Christ.

In today’s world, where individualism is often celebrated, the importance of community can sometimes be overlooked. But the church provides a space where we can reconnect with this essential aspect of our faith. In the context of loving relationships within the church, we experience the depths of God’s love through one another. Just as the roots of a tree intertwine beneath the soil, drawing strength from their connection, we, too, are strengthened by our relationships within the body of Christ.

I’ve seen this truth play out in my own life. There have been times when I felt like a solitary tree, standing alone in a barren landscape, battered by the winds of life. But in those moments of isolation, the church—my community—reached out to me, their roots intertwining with mine, offering support and strength when I had none left to give. Through a word of encouragement, a shared prayer, or simply their presence, they helped me stand firm when I could not stand alone.

Communal support empowers us to truly flourish. Like the trees in a forest, we grow stronger when we grow together. Our roots become intertwined, and we find that what we can withstand together far surpasses what we can endure alone. This is the church’s beauty—a community reflecting the love of Christ, grounding us in His love and helping us grow into the fullness of who He created us to be.

An Invitation to Dance

The dance of roots beneath the soil is a beautiful reminder of the spiritual dance we are invited into. Our roots dance through adversity, pressing deeper into the soil of God’s love when the storms come. They dance into certainty, finding their anchor in God’s unshakeable promises. And they dance in community, intertwining with the roots of others to form a network of support and strength.

Paul’s words in Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV) invite us: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” This is the dance of faith—a dance that grows stronger, deeper, and more beautiful as we live our lives rooted in Christ.

This dance isn’t only for you alone; it is an invitation to join others in the journey. As roots connect and support each other, we’re called to grow together in faith. Let us dance together, grounded in God’s love, to build a community that reflects the beauty of his creation and the depth of His love.

As you go about your day, consider the dance of the roots beneath your feet. Be inspired to dance with grace, resilience, and connection in your spiritual life. God’s love is the music that guides your steps—do you hear it? Rise up, and let your roots dance!

*This article was previously published in Truly Magazine October 2024

Sources:

1. Duke University study on dancing roots. Duke University, February 2021. Available at: https://today.duke.edu/2021/02/time-lapse-reveals-hidden-dance-roots

2. Darwin, Charles. The Power of Movement in Plants. 1880. Available through various online archives.

3. GK Goodrick-Kohlenberger AV Authorized Version Strong, J. (1995). In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

4. Harris, W. H., III. (2010). The Lexham Greek-English Interlinear New Testament: SBL Edition (Eph 3:17). Lexham Press.

5. Holewinski, Britt. “Underground Networking: The Amazing Connections Beneath Your Feet.” National Forests Blog, National Forest Foundation, https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/underground-mycorrhizal-network

6. Grant, Richard. “Do Trees Talk to Each Other?” Smithsonian Magazine, July 2016. Available at: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/do-trees-talk-to-each-other-180968084/