-Jeremiah 17:7-8-
"But blessed is the man who trusts in
the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the
water
that sends out its roots by the
stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."
Imagine a newly planted flower in the ground. It isn't very big, is it? But when you keep on nourishing it with food and water it will grow taller and stronger. It will blossom into the most beautiful pink rose you have ever seen. It's roots will grow deeper and deeper into the ground. But first, they start as a single root. So small that without it the plant would die. Don't let the weeds suck up the nutrients and life from you. For the weed will get it's way and kill you.
We, as Christians are that newly planted flower. God and his Word is the food and water that nourishes us. But he's more than just plain water. He's Living Water. And the roots? That's our faith. At first you don't have any roots because you are dead to sin. But after Baptism you are alive with Christ Jesus! Your roots start to grow and your flower blossoms. Every day your roots get stronger and go deeper into the ground. And every day Jesus is calling out your name. He says, "Jerica, go dig into my Word and let your roots go deeper." But you know what? Not all the time your roots grow. Sometimes they die. That's when the Weed comes along and tries to pick your roots. It's trying to take away Jesus and his Word. It's trying to destroy all the roots. It wants to take your faith away from you. It wants to uproot you and not let you be able to grow anymore. That's when the Living Water comes along and waters you. It reminds you to keep on growing. Yes, we are sinful people. Yes, we will miss the mark on a bull's-eye. Yes, we might step over the line but that's when the Living Water steps in and says, "No". Don't ever stop reading God's Word. Plant yourself deeper and deeper into the nutrient-rich soil so your roots can go even deeper. Make 'em go so deep that the Weed won't ever be able to uproot you completely. What do I mean by completely? Like I said before. We are sinful so the Weed will get its way and pluck a few roots here and there. But the Living Water always wins and makes them come back. It isn't a matter of days before your roots are safely restored. Sometimes it takes weeks, months, and even years. If you want your life to be fruitful and multiply you must get rid of the Weed. Do whatever your little plant-self can do to ward of the Weed. You know it wants complete control over you and your life. Don't EVER let that happen. Turn away, don't get plucked. Resist the Weed, fight, don't go towards the Weed. Even if you think it will be perfect. Indeed it is not.
So next time you are in a tough situation just remember what God's Word says. Its written throughout the Bible. Take time and read God's Word daily, it will make your faith grow.
Written with love,
JericaS
JericaS
