When Roots Run Deep-Part 1
Clouds begin to gather- binding, growing, expanding into a unified mass of water vapor and air, swirling in great agitation as the atmosphere starts to shift in the sky. The palette of soft, blue hues once brushed eloquently across the horizon, now give way to angry shades of blackish grey. In the distance, a low bass like rumble begins to crawl across the hills and valley floor, as if warning of an advancing, invading army; while the wind’s tempo drives the enemy forward at ever increasing speeds, relentless in its march.
Overcome with the weight of carrying such a burdensome load, the hands of the cumulonimbus clouds open to release drop after drop of steady rain. Slow at first, but then as if pleased with the progress made, in giddy celebration it begins dumping more and more, faster and faster until a torrential downpour is achieved. Brilliant bursts of light join in the festivities to echo the song, loudly proclaimed by each thunder clap singing, “Onward we invade, never to cease. Chaos we bring, to steal your peace.” The wind whips in frenzied applause signaling its approval.
In the middle of the meadow, the large form of a tree, covered in darkness and shadow, moves to the melody of the raging storm. The dance is not graceful, most of the moves are not even in time, but there is confidence in the strength that is hidden, deep beneath the grassy surface. Backward, forward, side to side- dipping and diving in such a manner that anyone observing the exchange would hold their breath in anticipation of the destruction that is sure to come. But the mighty tree holds sure and steady, defiantly firm in the face of the full fury that is being unleashed upon it. As minutes tick by, the branches groan with pressure and just at the moment the enemy seems to have the final say, the screeching of the wind softens to a whisper, the rainfall becomes nothing more than an insignificant drizzle, thunder is hushed and silenced and sunlight pushes through the thick, gloomy clouds. The storm has passed. When roots run deep, the tree remains secure, regardless of what the day may bring.
In the scriptures, there are many passages where the metaphor of planting, growing, sowing, reaping, vineyards, trees, vines and so forth are used to describe our relationship with Jesus. Why did the authors, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17), choose to make these parallels between growing something and our faith?
I have often heard it said that to write well, you should write what you know. In the centuries when both the Old and New Testaments would have been penned, anyone in that day and culture would have understood references to agriculture very well. Most of the population had to grow their own food to survive. There was no running to the nearest grocery story to pick up lunch items or swinging through the drive-thru on the way home from work to grab supper. If you didn’t grow it, you didn’t eat. Understanding the process of nurturing crops would have been known among not only the authors, but also the readers.
Our modern civilization, as you know, is incredibly different than of those who walked the same dusty streets as Christ, but truth is timeless and remains just as relevant for us today. I want to break down this concept of farming and what we can glean (no pun intended) from it into four categories:
Soil Quality
Fertilizing
Watering
Diseases and Pest Management
Soil Quality
Dirt is just dirt, right? Nope! Did you know that different plants need different types of soil to grow properly? All healthy soils consist of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. From here, other minerals, chemicals, microorganisms and soil composition will determine which crops you can grow in which type of dirt. Farming can be complicated!
For example, a loamy soil (which is comprised of clay, silt and sand) is great for most veggies such as sweet corn, carrots and onions, along with fruits like strawberries and blackberries. Root vegetables, like potatoes and radishes, and cooking herbs prefer a sandy soil. There are six total soil types for planting, so the two examples above are just the tip of the iceberg lettuce. (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.🙂)
In addition to the soil types, PH levels and alkalinity play a large role in healthy produce. Blueberries, Hydrangeas and Dogwoods all grow best in soil that is slightly more acidic, while Lavender, Rosemary and Broccoli thrive in gardens with a higher alkaline level.
At this point you are probably wondering why I am giving you a 4-H lesson and what any of it has to do with Jesus? The soil quality needed to produce excellent fruit is complex, it requires care, monitoring and proper nurturing. However, unless you are a farmer, chances are you don’t give a second thought to the work it takes just to get the dirt ready for planting while enjoying a lovely dinner with fresh vegetables and fruits.
In the same manner, I don’t believe we as Christ followers, give too much thought to the quality of the soil of our hearts, yet we wonder why the fruit in our lives is tasteless, colorless and less than desirable. Just as the farmer must be diligent in preparing his fields for seed, we must be diligent to tend our souls and cultivate an environment where the fruit of the Spirit can thrive. Stop trying to plant the Kingdom truths of scripture into your heart, by using compost from the trash dump of today’s culture. You will probably grow something, but it will not be what God intended.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)
It matters, dear friends, how you engage with social trends and cultural ideology. Do not be deceived. I see too many Christ followers who fill their days more worried about how many “likes” they have on social media, than trying to connect with their neighbor and share the gospel. Christians who are completely absorbed in the latest Netflix binge for hours, yet struggle to sit and soak in the Presence of the Almighty for more than five minutes.
This is not a judgmental rant, but a wake up call. We must be wise about what we allow into our hearts and minds which is the soil of our souls. We are in this world, but we are not of this world. There is a difference. One of the greatest deceptions the devil has in his arsenal is to suck us in to the ebb and flow of the cultural stream, give us a floaty and tell us to relax and enjoy the lazy river. That is NOT what we have been called to do as Jesus’ ambassadors.
“If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 (AMP)
Fight against the current. Block out the relentless noise that emanates from the world around you. Keep spiritual blinders on your eyes so you will remain focused and steadfast. Be ever diligent in nurturing, cultivating and caring for the soil of your heart. These are the disciplines that will foster rich sod to help feed the roots of your faith.
Jesus also had a lot to say about soil quality. You will find his most extensive conversation regarding the topic in Mark 4:3-20, which is the parable of the sower. A well known text, but I challenge you to study the scripture with fresh eyes, an open mind and a prayerful attitude- perhaps the soil quality of your heart is not as fertile as it needs to be.
Fertilizing
Fertilization is a vital element in any farmer’s tool belt of resources for healthy, strong crop growth and to maximize plant yield. As stated earlier, certain plants need certain minerals and soil types to develop into their peak, nutritional value, so if the field lacks resources, those resources can be added through fertilization. This goal of harvest increase is probably the most common vein of thought regarding why farmers and gardeners add fertilizer to their soil. Actually, enriching the ground has less to do about the plants themselves and more to do with the actual dirt.
As vegetation grows, they draw the minerals and chemicals they need from the soil to be utilized in development. Over time, this will deplete the natural resources in the sod and crop yield will suffer. Fertilizing helps restore the nutrients needed to the ground to ensure healthy plant growth and development. Think of it as feeding the dirt. When the soil is stripped of what the flora needs, the roots have nothing to draw from to maintain abundant produce.
Some of us are walking around with the soil of our souls so drained of spiritual nutrition, the roots of our faith lack the substance they need to strengthen and grow us daily. We must fertilize if we wish to have an abundant harvest. Feeding your soul begins with the Word.
Bible study is necessary in developing a strong, robust relationship with Christ and fostering faith roots that run deep and thick. How are you going to know Who Jesus is, how He thinks, what His personality is like, what your role is as a disciple and other relational type traits if you don’t read His word and get to know Him? And for those already serving and continuously pouring out to others, God bless you, but if you are not replenishing your soul through study of the scriptures, the fruit in your life will suffer, period!
King David knew very well the importance of being a studious scholar of the ancient Hebrew texts. The precepts of God were precious to him, don’t believe me- read Psalm 119. Psalm 119 is the longest of the writings within the book, with a total of 176 verses and every passage talks about how good, perfect, necessary and desirable the word of God is to all believers. May we, as God’s children, come to understand the rich goodness that awaits us within the pages of our bibles.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
You want to ignite a fire in your bones? Start digging into the scriptures. You want to develop a rich love for Jesus? Begin writing passages that speak to your season of life on sticky notes, placing them where you can read the words over and over throughout the day and feel your heart come alive. Perhaps you have lost all desire for the things of the gospel. I challenge you to read the word anyway, for the next 30 days, and I can promise you, you will begin to feel a stirring deep within you. The Word is life giving and powerful, it sustains us and corrects us, offers hope, peace and a sound mind- it is our oxygen.
“But he (Jesus) answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 (ESV)
Victory over the trials and temptations in this life are found in the scriptures. The hater of your soul does not sleep, nor does he slumber as he watches and waits for the opportunity to strike against the sons and daughters of God. Don’t hand him an easy target.
I heard popular women’s ministry speaker Beth Moore say one time, “It was the Son of God that saved my soul, but it was the Word of God that saved my mind.” I concur the same to be true in my own life.
Some of you may feel intimidated about bible study. Scripture can sometimes be hard to understand, but that is not an excuse to allow dust to collect on your bible on the bookshelf. Jesus tells us in John 16:13 that one of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to help teach us and remind us of Jesus’ words, so you have assistance.
Allow me to offer a few practical ways to aid in your study time and prayerfully kindle a new passion in your heart for the Word of God.
Select a translation of the Bible that is easy for you to read and understand. The English Standard Version (ESV) and New International Version (NIV) are both excellent choices that offer a simpler reading style, yet remains true to the original context.
Listen to the scriptures on your phone. There are many apps, such as the Bible App, that will read the passages to you. This is a wonderful option for those auditory learners or hectic days.
Write scripture on sticky notes or notecards and tape them up where you can read them often, like your bathroom mirror. I mentioned this earlier, but I believe it bears repeating. This practice is dear to my heart, as this is what I have done many times throughout my faith walk. Most often, if the devil tries to feed me some lie- I will seek out the truth, write it down, post it where I can see it and read it over and over. It will bring peace to your mind and cause the enemy to flee!
Take passages of scripture in small chunks and leisurely read them. Sometimes we can get hung up on “how much” we are reading and feel like we have to digest huge sections of the Bible to actually feel like we are doing anything. First, let us reflect back on the “Simple is, as simple does” post and remember to give yourself grace. Secondly, sometimes only studying a few verses is all you need for the day. There can be a lot of substance in just a handful of scripture. Slow down, take your time and really meditate and dive into what God is trying to say to you. Remember, allow the Holy Spirit to teach you.
Get a Passage Partner! Need a little boost in your study time? Grab a friend and read through the Bible together. You can hold each other accountable, bounce ideas and questions off one another and gain strength in knowing you are not alone on this journey.
We hold a mighty weapon in our hands in the form of leather and paper. Use this tool to enrich your soul, as a farmer uses compost to enrich his fields. Strong roots come from good soil quality and regular fertilizing to replenish lost nutrients. Next week we will continue our discussion and learn how watering and diseases and pest management can either strengthen or deteriorate your roots. Until then, I leave you with this prayer-
“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees.” Psalm 119:10-12 (NIV)