“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” — Jeremiah 17:7-8
Bearing Fruit In A Drought
Colt McCoy left the University of Texas as the most decorated quarterback in school history. A four-year starter and two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, his 45 victories as a quarterback set an NCAA Division I record.
As a senior, McCoy and the Texas Longhorns went undefeated and earned the right to face Alabama in the 2009 national championship game. It was the biggest game of McCoy’s brilliant career. However, in the first quarter, McCoy was knocked to the ground and forced to leave the game because of a shoulder injury. Unable to return, he was forced to watch his dream season and career end in defeat from the sidelines.
Following the game, McCoy was asked by a reporter what it was like to watch his last game at Texas from the sidelines. Fighting back tears, he answered, “I would have given anything to be out there. I always give God the glory. I never question why things happen the way they do, God is in control of my life, and I know that if nothing else, I’m standing on the Rock.”
McCoy was facing a drought. Like it says in Jeremiah, a tree planted by the water never fails to bear fruit when drought comes. McCoy’s roots are established near the stream. Even though the worst-case scenario played out for him in the biggest game of his life, he didn’t fail to bear fruit in that postgame interview.
Is your trust and confidence in the Lord? All of us will face periods of heat and drought in our lives. Are your roots anchored in Christ so that you can bear fruit in times of drought?
— John Henschen
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