How deep are your roots?
So, the questions that I would like to ask is, what are your roots, how were they formed? Have they grown?
Tumbleweeds only put down one root, and that root is very shallow. Tumbleweeds are easily uprooted when the wind blows. Soon the tumbleweed is blowing wherever the wind pushes it, without any sense of direction or stability.
An oak tree puts down lots of roots, and the roots go deep. Even during strong winds, oaks stand firm, because their root structure is strong and deep.
Is your spiritual life more like a tumbleweed or an oak tree?
If you only have one or two roots in your spiritual life and these roots don’t go very deep, you stand the risk of constantly being uprooted when the breeze of business and routine start to blow and the winds of suffering and tragedy take hold.
But if you have deep spiritual roots, you will find yourself standing firm no matter what comes into your life. Even though life does not hurt any less for you, and even though you still struggle with the same questions and issues everyone asks, your faith keeps you strong.
You face uncertainty with courage, suffering with hope, and tragedy with confidence because your roots go deep. There are choices we must make in life and without a secure foundation; we will be tossed around by the circumstances around us.
So, Let us get to the Root of the Matter
Root (Dictionary meaning): The part of a plant that grows downward; apart from which other things grow; cause; or source.
Root (Bible meaning): Springing up; to bring forth or produce.
Rooted (Dictionary meaning): Having taken root; fixed.
Rooted (Bible meaning): To cause to take root; firmly rooted.
we first think about tree roots, root canals (our teeth), or vegetables like turnips. The whole concept of roots is amazing! Tree roots anchor the tree in the soil, keeping it straight and stable, and absorb water from the soil. Tree roots also take nutrients and chemicals out of the soil and use them to produce what they need for the tree’s growth, development, and repair. Damaging roots on one side of a tree may cause branches to die back on that side only- or at random places throughout the crown.
There are many types of roots, tap root, heart root, flat root, shallow root, spiritual is also amazing.
I once read a story about a little girl who lived in the late 1800’s. At the age of six, a doctor was treating her inflamed eyes and accidentally blinded her. When she was eight years old, she wrote these words
“Oh, what a happy child I am, although I cannot see. I am resolved that in this world, contented I will be. How many blessings I enjoy that other people do not? To weep and sigh because I am blind, I cannot, and I won’t.”
That same young girl grew up to become a saint of the American Church. Fanny Crosby was her name. I cannot image the difficulties that she must have faced in the time she grew up in, or the advice that she might have received, but her roots were firmly planted in the truths of God. As a result, we have songs such as “Tell Me the Story of Jesus,” “Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine,” and “He Hides My Soul.”
Read Psalm 1:1-6
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so but are life chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (English Standard Version)
The word planted literally means transplanted. A person whose life is rooted in God’s Word receives constant nourishment.
Bad situations do not happen all at once. They result from a series of bad choices.
We live in a time where boredom, depression, and other forms of unhappiness are rampant.
A life rooted in Jesus Christ yields something worthwhile and provides blessing and nourishment to others. Adverse conditions do not affect the fruitfulness of this person. He prospers because he follows God’s directions and warnings.
Yet a life not rooted in Jesus Christ will be followed by negative signs:
Lack of Character
Immersed in Sin.
Counsels = Bad Advice
Absorbed in the things of the world.
Have a radical attitude problem.
Become a Hindrance to Others
Fruitless
Weakness “… will not stand…”
Romans 11:16-18: If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.
The apostle Paul is talking about Israel and about the fact that we (the Gentiles) were grafted into the tree of God’s chosen people. The Word of God also talks about other roots which can lead to destruction.
But we too must be aware of what takes root in our lives.
Hebrews 12:15:
See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it may be defiled.
Let us look at another favourite verse of mine:
John 15:1-5:
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.’
Proverbs 12:3:
You cannot find firm footing in a swamp, but life rooted in God stands firm.
Wow, as we walk out our lives and as we look at God’s wonderful creation and its roots, let us always be mindful that our Lord has taken us to a safe place and rooted our spirits there. It turns out that the very root of the matter is Jesus and He always was and will be. Thank you God!
So, what is the Root of the Matter
Job 19:28:
“The root of the matter is found in me.”
A SHOOT or a ROOT
The tree can do without some of its branches, though the loss of them might be an injury; but it cannot live at all without its roots: the roots are essential; take those away, and the plant must wither. ' And thus, there are things essential in a Christian.
Do we all have the branches and the fruits. These will come in their season, and they must come, if we are Christ’s disciples; but nobody expects to see fruit on a tree a week after it has been planted. You know there are some trees that do not bring forth any great fruit till they have been in the ground some two or three years, and then at last, when the favourable season comes, they are white with blossoms, and with luscious fruit. It is very desirable that all Christians should be full of zeal, should be vehemently earnest, should go about doing good, should minister to the poor, should teach the ignorant, and comfort the distressed, yet these things cannot be called the real root of the matter. The real root of the matter practically is this—“One thing I know; whereas I was blind now I sec; the things I once loved I now hate; the things I once hated I love; now it is no more the world, but God; no more the flesh, but Christ ; no more pleasure, but obedience; no more what I will, but what Jesus wills.” If any of you can from your souls say that you desire that your life will be, “Lord, not as I will, but as you will,” you have got the root of the matter practically.
There are those who do certain duties with a conscientious motive, to make themselves Christians. Such as observing the Sabbath, holding daily worship of God in their families, and attending the public services of the Lord’s house but that is it, nothing more, nothing less. Like an ornament… habit.
Now you know a root is a fixing thing. Plants without roots may be thrown over the wall; they may be passed from hand to hand; but a root is a fixed thing. How firmly the oaks are rooted in the ground!
A root is also a quickening thing. What is it that first sets the sap a flowing in the spring? Why, it is the root. Down below beneath the earth it begins to feel the coming spring, so the sap begins to flow, and the buds begin to burst. Ah! and you must have a vital principle; you must have a living principle. Some Christians are like those toys they, which have sand in them; the sand runs down, and some little invention turns and works them as long as the sand is running, but when the sand is all out it stops. So on Sunday morning these people are just turned right, and the sand runs, and they work all the Sunday; but the sand runs down by Sunday night, and then they stand still, or else go on with the world’s work just as they did before. There must be a living principle.
A root is also a receiving thing. The botanists tell us a great many things about the ends of the roots, which can penetrate into the soil hunting after the particular food upon which the tree is fed. Ah! and if you have got the root of the matter in you, you come to hear a sermon, you get into the pages of Scripture, sometimes into a hymn book; seeking that something upon which your soul can feed.
Hence it follows that the root becomes a supplying thing because it is a receiving thing. We must have a religion that lives upon God, and that supplies us with strength to live for God.
So, what is the root of the matter?
Comfort zone, oh yes what is it that we say:
“I do not grow as I could wish ;
I am not so holy as I want to be.
I cannot praise and bless the Lord as I could desire.
I am afraid I am not a fruitful “
Yes, but is the root of the matter in you? If so, cheer up, you have cause for gratitude. Remember that in some things you are equal to the greatest and most full-grown Christian. You are as much bought with blood, O little saints, as are the holy brotherhood. He that bought the sheep bought the lambs too. You are as much an adopted child of God as any other Christian. You are just like a bruised reed; there used to be some music in you, but now the reed is broken, and there is no tuneful note at all to be brought out from the poor, bruised, crooked, and broken reed.
Instead of being down-cast by reason of what you are, you should begin to triumph in Christ. Am I but little in Israel? Yet in Christ I am made to sit in heavenly places. Am I poor in faith? Still in Christ I am heir of all things. Do I sometimes wander? Yet Jesus Christ comes after me and brings me back.
So, what is the root of the matter?
TENDERNESS AND WITH LOVE.
Why do we argue the word of God with people, some people are religious, others not, ” Save your swords for Christ’s real enemies. We shall never make a brother see; but show them by doing.
The word ‘radical’ is often seen as ‘fanatic,’ and ‘extremist.’ It has a negative connotation, and has come to mean ‘over the top,’ ‘excessive,’ ‘extreme,’ or ‘on the edge.’ However, it comes from the Latin word ‘radicalis’ which means ‘from the roots.’ To be radical means to be ‘rooted in the original.’ As Christian people, we are called to live radical lives–to be rooted and grounded in Christ. As the Apostle Paul writes in
Colossians 2:6-7;
“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 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.”
Often, I have looked in wonder at the large Oak trees. The amazing thing is, underneath one of those massive trees is an equally impressive root system, extending the same distance as the height of the tree underground. These roots serve two functions. They provide nourishment for the tree by drawing water and nutrients from the soil and delivering them to the fruit-bearing parts of the tree above ground. Even during a drought, a tree’s roots will burrow deep into the earth, into hard-to-reach places, to seek out moisture so that the tree can continue to thrive and bear fruit. Roots also provide stability and strength, keeping the tree firmly planted in the soil, so that it can grow to its full potential. This steadfast footing also prevents the tree from being uprooted when buffeted by storms and high winds.
In the same way, Paul tells us that if we want to live with a sense of purpose and intentionality, our lives are to be deeply rooted in Christ and His love so that we too can build strength of character and steadfastness of faith. When we grow deep in Christ, we can live tall and large–we can stand firm amidst the storms of life and bear much fruit in our lives.
How do you know when your spiritual roots are deep? It is simple: There’s fruit! Any gardener will tell you if you cut the root off a plant there will not be any fruit. Similarly, if we do not have spiritual roots, we will not bear spiritual fruit. Are you rooted and grounded in Christ? Are your spiritual roots expanding deeper and broader? This kind of growth does not happen overnight; nor does it happen without God. It only happens by God’s amazing grace, as we are rooted and grounded in Christ. So, humble yourself. Be deeply rooted in Christ and built up in Him. Become even more established in your faith. Grow deep. And live tall and beautiful. Be all that God created you to be and bear fruit in His name.
I leave you with this verse:
Ephesians 3:14-20:
For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
