Got Roots?

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about gardens. I know, we’re in the middle of a global pandemic and I’m over here thinking about gardens- but what if we looked deeper than the flowers and soil? What if we looked at the roots?

I don’t know about you but I google everything- especially words. There’s something powerful about knowing the depth of a word- so you can imagine when the word “roots” was placed on my heart, I quickly turned to google. Here’s what I discovered: Roots are the cause or source of something. They’re sown and established to support or nourish something. Friends the reality is, they’re universal- everyone and everything has roots. The question is, what are you rooted in? 

It’s easy to try and sow our roots in the world around us. Status, money, titles, people- the list goes on, but what if we’re being called back to our original roots? Before the quarantine started, I wish I could say that I was solely rooted in God but if we’re being honest, I wasn’t. Looking back now, I was trying to sow my roots in tons of things- different people, projects and appearances. The worst part is, all of these things left me empty, lost and confused. When the quarantine started and I found myself back in the arms of Jesus, I understood why those things left me so broken. 

Roots are our source, they’re meant to nourish us. Let’s say we sow our roots in appearances, making it our source. The nourishment that appearances offers us only leads to constant comparison, leaving us bitter and falling apart. I think we can all agree that we want to sow our roots in something that will bring us goodness and life- not bitterness and brokenness. I want to take a moment and ask you to picture the most beautiful flower you’ve ever seen. Look at it’s petals, the vibrant colors shining through the dull world and it’s graceful stem, standing firm through every season. Friends, this flower is rooted in Jesus- in His steadfast love, unfailing promises and abundant strength. This flower is you, shining, standing firm and sown in your original roots found in Jesus. We only grow this way when we choose to sow our roots in Him and Him only. 

Earlier, I asked you what you were rooted in- and now I want to ask you to join me in leaving your old roots behind. Friends, God has given us the opportunity to slow down and find Him again- He is calling us back to our original roots. Ephesians 3:17 (TPT) says, “Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life”. Are you ready to sow your roots in the abundant love God has for you? If you are, I want to encourage you to pray this with me: 

“God I’m sorry for sowing my roots in other places, please forgive me. I long to sow my roots into you and in this moment- I give my all to you Jesus. May the source and root of my life become you and only you, so that I may grow to know your goodness and love every day of my life. I pray this all in Jesus Name, Amen.”