WHAT DOES YOUR ROOTS LOOK LIKE

Photo provided by Darry Poss

Thoughts by Becky Whitemans-Sparks

Woke early this morning, wanting to so I could spend some time in prayer on a difficult situation. As I lay in my bed, warm and cozy, my heart was broken and questioning. “Oh, Lord, how can this complicated situation be handled? Please, My God, fix this … step in and fix what no man on earth can.”

In that quiet, His Words began to come to me, Words that I’ve read over and over came echoing through my mind … “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 (Jesus-the Living Water) that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” OH, there really is nothing more beautiful and healthy than trees that are planted next to rippling streams of water. The fruit they bear is sweet and delicious.

You see, great trees have taproots which go deep in search of living water, water that will bring them great health. That is why you always see healthy trees next to streams or rivers, they know where their life blood comes from. But when that life blood is cut off through drought (cut off from God—no nutrients (the Bible), no communication (prayer) ,no fellowship, (other healthy Christians), or is damaged (Satan taking an axe and hacking away at it), or squeezed off (un-forgiveness), it is seriously damaged, at risk of death. (Hebrews 12.14-15 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" (spiritual cancer) springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.)

This complicated situation is like a very unhealthy tree whose leaves are dropping so fast that you can’t help but know the tree is suffering greatly. Then, the Lord spoke to my heart showing me that the problem is not with the leaves … “They are simply symptoms of the problem … the problem is the tap root. It is not planted in Me. My living water brings love, joy, peace, goodness, gentleness, meekness, faith, patience and self-control. Until attitudes are changed (repented of-there is that old-fashioned word), the leaves will fall off, the branches will begin to harden and die only to be easily snapped off. The trunk will begin to slough bark and when the bark is gone … death is sure.”

Then My God led me to Matthew 18 … “The tree is being killed by an unforgiving heart. Satan is strangling it by wrapping barbwire around it, squeezing it, choking it, killing it. BUT, I as The Arborist, the Creator, can bring new life to the whole tree. I will renew the streambed (the relationship with Jesus) and cut away the issues that are killing the tree, which will include the tough times of pruning away the dying and dead branches. Health will return. I promise! It’s written in My Word.”

Then I remember an old cedar tree by our canal. Many years ago, a farmer had wrapped barbwire around it, using it like a post. Because it was by a healthy stream of water, it grew new bark over the wire and continued to grow and do well … it was a tree planted by living water (Jesus). Because it’s root was well established, it continued to thrive.

If you are struggling and the leaves on the tree of your life are sick and dying, the quickest way to regain health is regain your relationship with the Lord. It’s not changing those around you, or trying to control or manipulate their lives, it all begins with you and you accepting the reality that you need help and healing. Your healing will come when you deal with you … let The Arborist come in and do His work.