by Dona Hake
In a garden, in a forest etc…whatever is above the ground reveals the strength of what is under the ground. If a root system is strong and deep, the tree or flower will be great and beautiful and withstand just about anything. If it be weak and not cared for, it will not do well in the heat, and other elements the weather is capable of bringing.
Presently my gardens at home are just being established. The flowers are taking root, and they all look so pretty, yet their enemy lurks to rob them of their life and blooming potential. There are weeds that grow and spread with absolutely no assistance. Without the diligent observance of the condition of my flowers and pulling of the weeds those pretty flowers will not thrive and bloom where they have been planted. I am reminded everyday that I must be diligent or the weeds will rob the life from my flowers that are trying to grow.
Our lives speak and reveal what is rooted in our hearts. As we tend to our hearts in all the areas that the Lord commands, we will value the fruit of the deeply rooted good things He desires to work and produce in us. We have got to watch over the condition of our hearts just as we do a garden. I can remember a few years ago when I bought this one particular flower for my garden and I never dreamed of it’s potential. One little flower probably about 7 inches high ended up so huge! As I cared for it and it took root, and it turned into a bush with tons of beautiful flowers!
Today I want you to think about the love of God in your heart. How well do you tend it? Can you see that you are growing in the love of God or are you at a standstill? Quite honestly no matter how old you are in the Lord, this is a question we should ask ourselves on a regular basis. We have heard the quote “Bloom where you are planted.” It is important to know in your heart that you are staying connected with the Living God, and permitting Him to prune you when He sees fit. As you seek Him, you are watering and drawing upon His strength alone, and you will be rooted and grounded in His love and all that He is.
Ephesians 3:17-20 The Living Bible
“And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living
within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of
God’s marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all
God’s children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his
love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so
great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it.
And so at last you will be filled up with God himself.
Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to
do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely
beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.”
May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love! Seek to know Him more, to love Him more, and to serve Him in a greater way today.