Where Are Your Roots
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 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
This set of verses has quickly become my new favorite passage to revisit as of late. While studying to speak at first women’s conference I came across these verses. It changed the direction of my talk slightly but in the best God Given way. Being in the word always reminds me that he meets us where we are at. We just have to simply show up.
Sometimes that is exactly what I fail to do. I get so wrapped up and tangled in my everyday life. Taking it for granted, striving for the wrong things, and being left depleted. It seems I am more inclined to spend time entertaining and nurturing all the weeds. Only pulling at the surface of the problems, never getting to the root. Never spending the time to truly plant myself in his truths, purpose, and ways. To busy trying to make outward appearances look just right. As my inside wavers and threatens to come falling down with the first strong wind.
After reading these verses I decided I wanted to be more intentional in putting my roots down. So that I can become more steadfast during these storms that keep rolling my way. Because that is just life in this fallen world. My Pastor recently made a point about God’s peace. It doesn’t mean nothing bad will ever happen. It just means he is going to carry you through it.
When I feel the urge to pay attention to the weeds, I am asking God where is the root of this issue? It may mean I have to wait in his presence. I may have to put some things down. Maybe I have to let him prune me some more so I can grow further. Whatever the case, I need to think more about roots in order to get to the fruit.
A tomato plant will not grow without being planted. Sometimes I see I am so impatient and restless, I do not want to even take the time to plant. If you do not water the plant, and work on the soil, then it will not grow. If I do not seek his presence and rest in his word how can I expect to bear fruit? I keep wondering why I keep coming up so empty and feeling so withered. It is because I am looking to the artificial ways of the world, listening to the very processed ideas and opinions. Instead of feeding my soul with what he has for me.
On the days I feel myself waiver, I am not asking myself to get back to my roots. Because I want to be just like this tree in Jeremiah. I do not want to fear when the heat comes, or worry at the first sign of drought. I know its not going to happen overnight, but I am determined. I want Siena to sense that her Mom has roots, roots in Jesus. Not in panic, or in the news, or the opinions of others. I hope to help her lay down her roots, so that she is even stronger than I.