by Dona Hake
Colossians 2:7 ” Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in
Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming
increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were
taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.”
Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming
increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were
taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.”
This scripture gives us such a picture of how our spiritual strength should be. I think of my garden as I read this. I just love my garden each summer and I look forward to planting soon and tending it. Each flower planted will be different in its own unique way. One will love sun all day and one may want shade only. When planting I will take extra care where to place each one so it will thrive and grow to its potential. I can remember a time of noticing one of my Gerber daisies just totally wilted so I gave it a bit more water than the others and it was all perked up and beautiful again. It reminds me of the importance of watching over my heart in a diligent manner. When we see there is an area of weakness, we need to be quick to give it the attention it needs, and seek God’s help on what to do.
Many times the fruit of our life is flourishing, but the devil is seeking ways to choke out that work in us. Let us look at how weeds try to take over our beautiful flower gardens. It seems like it is a constant fight against them. Did you ever notice how they seem to thrive no matter what water or light they get. They need no attention and if let go, they will kill the beauty of a garden. The Word of God speaks and tells us to guard our hearts with all diligence. Our enemy would love to sneak in random “weed seeds” to keep the gardens of our hearts from flourishing. Weed seeds such as worry, lack of peace, gossip, critical attitudes, etc… May we never excuse ourselves from thinking it is okay to play around with these things for it truly is the little foxes that spoil the vines of our hearts.
We must seek to know Christ more and more each day that our spiritual roots grow deeper and deeper. We want our lives to be beautiful for Him so our spiritual “root system” is important to watch over. As we submit to the Lord and the counsel of His Word we will continue to become steadfast and unmovable. When the “weeds” of this world try to come in and choke the life out of us, there must be diligence on our part to rip them out and be watchful that they do not come back. Let us look at Psalm 1:1- I love how this portion of scripture so beautifully depicts the one that lives a guarded life before the Lord. He who is diligent over his soul will be like a strong tree with strong roots and he will not
be moved.
Psalm 1:1-3
1 “Happy is the man who does not walk in the way sinful men tell him to, or
stand in the path of sinners, or sit with those who laugh at the truth.2 But he
finds joy in the Law of the Lord and thinks about His Law day and night. 3 This
man is like a tree planted by rivers of water, which gives its fruit at the right time
and its leaf never dries up. Whatever he does will work out well for him.”
1 “Happy is the man who does not walk in the way sinful men tell him to, or
stand in the path of sinners, or sit with those who laugh at the truth.2 But he
finds joy in the Law of the Lord and thinks about His Law day and night. 3 This
man is like a tree planted by rivers of water, which gives its fruit at the right time
and its leaf never dries up. Whatever he does will work out well for him.”
Oh how wonderful to think of our lives being as vibrant healthy trees planted by cool streams of water with fruit that ripens and God uses our fruit to reach those around us. Remember…as we humbly submit ourselves to Him, He is growing fruit in us, but it is in His timing.
Don’t be impatient with yourself. As you are obedient to Him, He is faithful and He will complete His work in You. It is as we remain steadfast and diligent that we can know that all that we put our hand to will prosper and we will bear fruit that will remain.