Colossians 2:6-7
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Alex Haley’s book, Roots, the story of Kunta Kinte, an 18th century African who was captured and sold into slavery, captivated readers when it was published in 1976. The compelling account follows Kunta’s life and the lives of his descendants in America as they faced bondage, separation, abuse, poverty, and discrimination. Along with the popularity of the book, millions of viewers were glued to their televisions to watch the mini-series that followed in 1977 which inspired many families, including my own, to begin searches for their ancestral roots. Discovering our roots unearthed a deeper understanding of where we came from, the good and the bad, the struggles and triumphs, that our ancestors encountered as they paved the way for the generations to come.
The Bible also has a lot to say about “roots” and how God’s perspective can encourage us to produce good fruit in our generation and for those who come after us. Jeremiah 17: 7-8 shows us what we will look like when we trust in Him: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord, for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” On the other hand, Hebrews 12:15 warns us about what an unhealthy root system can cause: “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 many be defiled…”
What does that mean for us? We may have negative emotions against others or about our circumstances that are hidden, lying just beneath the surface. We mustn’t allow those feelings to take root and then grow, causing us to get angry and bitter, taking it out on others. Often the bitterness blinds us to what God might be bringing out of our situation, causing us to lack trust. Here is a good checklist for us to see if our root system is healthy:
• Be planted and grounded in good soil.
• Set down roots, watering, and feeding so they go deep.
• Leave your comfort zone by allowing those roots to spring forth into a healthy plant.
• Stand strong through any storms or droughts that come your way.
• Bloom and yield much fruit!
We can’t choose our ancestry, but we can make choices that will produce for us and our family a good root system that yields healthy fruit.
Thank you, Lord, for Your lesson on the importance of planting good seed and tending to our roots in order to have a healthier spiritual life. Forgive us if we have allowed the root of bitterness towards anyone or anything to take hold in our hearts. We desire that nothing would separate us from fellowship with You. May we always place our trust in You and reap the bounteous benefits of healthy fruit. For Your sake we pray. Amen.
