From the Bible: Matthew 15:13, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Hebrews 12:15
When Aj and I first bought our house together, I did not realize that there was an invasive plant in our yard. For several years I enjoyed the lush greenery it produced as it filled a flowerbed on the far side of our house, a space we didn’t go to very often. As I enjoyed the greenery, I had no idea what was going on beneath the surface until it was spilling over and starting to take over the grass on that side of the house.
My struggle with this beautiful, yet unknown, invasive taught me that appearances can deceive. Jesus declared, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots” (Matthew 15:13). As it began to overtake things and I realized it was not something I wanted in my garden I began pulling it in an attempt to get rid of it. It seemed to pull out really easily, but the reality was I was just not getting to the deep roots.
Deep roots can be a blessing or a burden. Like the tree in Jeremiah 17:7–8, when we sink our roots into God’s love and into fellowship with His people we are strengthened for every storm. Yet roots of bitterness, resentment, or sin can spread unseen (Hebrews 12:15), robbing us of spiritual vitality and the blessings God has for us. If you have ever tried to remove the roots of a tree you know how difficult it can be. Just as strong, deep roots anchor us in storms because they do not easily give up, deep roots of sin, bitterness, unforgiveness anchor us to things not of God. We must ask God to reveal what lies beneath the surface.
Reflect:
Who or what are you rooted in? Is it God or is it something else?
What do you need to remove from your life that has not been planted by God?
How can you deepen your roots in Christ this week?
Beverly Ajtay
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