Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8 NLT).  

‍

One of my favorite things about an Alaskan summer is measuring the season by the wildflowers. It’s thrilling to see those yellow dandelions finally popping up after a not-so-pretty breakup season, and even more exciting to race down to Homer to see the lupines blooming on the spit. Once the lupines give way to the fireweed, the countdown to the end of summer begins, and the further the blooms go up the stem, the more I begin to wonder if it will be our last lake day, last salmon run or last hike. Living in Alaska is the best reminder to enjoy things to the fullest while they last because, with the exception of winter, they don’t last long.

‍

Even though fireweed only blooms for a short time, it’s an important plant for the ecosystem, especially in environments where the ecosystem needs to be rebuilt after a natural disaster. Did you know fireweed is often the first plant to grow after a volcanic eruption? Fireweed’s roots grow down deep, allowing them to survive whatever destruction is wreaking havoc on the surface. These strong roots allow them to bloom in places where other plants can’t thrive, and their windblow seeds spread out to surrounding areas where they flourish year after year.

‍

I love the symbolism these flowers provide for life in Christ. It’s easy to praise God in times of ease – when prayers are answered and life carries a sense of security and peace. But what about the times we’re worn out, burned out, or waiting for God to move on our behalf? This is where Hebrews reminds us to remain steadfast, confident in our unchanging Savior, even when our circumstances are hard and our hearts are tempted to drift. Hebrews 13:8 tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” This is a foundational piece of faith. You might face seasons of change, health scares, job shifts, or relational difficulties, but even when all of those things shift, Jesus doesn’t. He is the anchor, and resting in Him allows us to praise Him when it feels like life is erupting around us. This kind of praise – the kind we offer even when life is hard or when praise doesn’t come easily – is a sacrifice we offer to God because we trust in His faithfulness to us. The writer of Hebrews calls this a “sacrifice of praise” (Heb. 13:15). I think this is one way we reflect “beauty for ashes” with our lives (Isa. 61:3). In the midst of hard things, our deep roots of faith allow us to keep thriving, keep praising, and keep trusting in God.

When life is erupting around you, be like the fireweed. Remind yourself of God’s unchanging, faithful character, and ask Him to grow your faith and use you to bring beauty to the world around you. Colossians 2:7 says, “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness” (NLT). This week, while the fireweed is still blooming in Alaska, take some time to reflect on the areas in your life where you’ve been drifting. Then, consider how you could lean on God’s faithfulness and allow Him to renew you and grow your faith. As your faith grows and your roots deepen, you will thrive in hard places and, like the fireweed, you will spread seeds of faith throughout the world around you.