The Power of the Root
The poor humble root may not be much to look at. However, it is literally the foundation and lifeblood of the entire plant. A plant’s root system nourishes it, anchors it, and stores food to ensure its very survival. Without a healthy root system, the plant will begin to wither and eventually die.
Spiritual Roots
The same can be said about our spiritual roots. If we don’t work to ensure that we are growing deep, healthy roots of faith, our spiritual life will begin to wither away. This means that we have to tend to our roots on a regular basis if we want to continue to grow and to thrive.
My friend Deanne Welsh described this concept beautifully in her Medium article “How Much Can You Tolerate Receiving…”
“Last year my word was flourish and when I picked it, I imagined a luscious tree, you know, by a stream of water, with vibrant leaves, singing birds and fruitful hanging from every branch.
Before I hit the end of January 2017, God whispered to my heart, it’s time for root work.
NO! This was the opposite of what I wanted.
Root work is dark, dirty and messy. It is often painful as the very foundation of beliefs, habits and heart is exhumed, examined and empowered.
From the surface, root work looks like nothing is happening.
This is why so few people take the trouble or time to do the inner work: it is invisible.
But the truth is that the root work is all we need…”
If we’re honest, we all want the quick fix…the one that doesn’t require us to dig in and get our hands dirty. While that approach may provide a temporary respite from our problems, that solution will be short-lived. Permanent solutions require the root work that Deanne describes.
Action Plan
The goal of this website and blog is to provide resources for individuals and families that want to grow deeper in their faith. My prayer is that you and your family will join me for some good old fashion root work. Let’s band together and encourage one another as we dig deep and work to grow deep spiritual roots that will create an enduring legacy.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord. He is like a tree planted by the water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when the heat comes for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. -Jeremiah 17:7-8