Several years ago, the Checotah, Oklahoma area suffered a severe drought. The water level of the largest lake in the area had receded so far that the immense root system of a massive tree was completely exposed. My daughter captured this vivid image while practicing her newfound love of photography. That picture recently popped into my mind as I was pondering life in the midst of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. I had a sense God was telling me He was exposing roots in this season.
Roots…We don’t usually see them as they’re mostly underground. When a seed is sown, it is the root that grows first before showing signs of life above ground, pulling water and nutrients from the soil and delivering them to the rest of the plant. They also store those nutrients for future use. Another purpose of the root is to provide a foundation for that plant, anchoring it firmly in the ground. If a plant becomes root bound or invaded by a foreign species, its growth can be stunted, and its fruitfulness and beauty can be diminished. A healthy root system is essential for a plant to reach its full potential.
In Scripture, our hearts are compared to soil in which seeds are planted, and our lives will produce fruit by what is planted in our hearts. As this pandemic has lingered, we are seeing seeds that have been planted and taken root are now bearing visible fruit. Things like fear, anger, unrest, and division among other things are being exposed, both in the nation and within our own hearts. These seeds are from the enemy of our souls, but our eyes should not be fixed on these things. They will be dealt with in due season. Jesus said in Matthew 15:13 (NIV) “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.”
Instead, let our focus be on these truths:
“In the same way you received Jesus our Lord and Messiah by faith, progressing further into your union with Him, your spiritual roots go deeply into His life as you are constantly infused with strength, encouraged in every way. For you are established in the faith you have absorbed and enriched by your devotion to Him.” (Colossians 2:6-7 TPT)
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose hope is in 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 drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV)
As God exposes roots, let us press more deeply into our union with Christ. Trusting Him to deepen our faith and strengthen us, we will find ourselves without fear, our roots spreading out and bringing life and fruit in the midst of, and in spite of, the difficult times in which we are living.
~ Laura Strack
