Rooted in God/ Rooted in Self

Living close to nature the way I do, I am fascinated by tree roots.  They begin as very fine strands, less than the width of a human hair, so that they are able to penetrate even the hardest clay soil.  They are able to push their way through areas that I have trouble penetrating with a shovel or an axe, and from the most inauspicious beginning, they establish themselves and grow strong, extracting whatever moisture can be found in the soil and sending it upward to the tree and its leaves.

The health and vitality, and ultimately the fruit, of a tree depend entirely on the strength of its roots and the soil in which the roots find a home.  When we admire a mighty oak, or pick luscious satsumas from a tree in our backyard, we can thank the roots and the soil in which the tree was planted.  And if the roots are sufficiently damaged or smothered by layers and layers of dirt, as in construction, the tree will eventually die, no matter how well-established or strong it has been.

So I think we do well to consider the roots and soil of our own existence.  If our souls send tiny, tentative, shoots into good soil -- the soil of the Holy Spirit, we will grow spiritually strong and produce the fruit drawn from the character and heart of God Himself:  love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, generosity, and self-control (see Gal.5:22). 

If, on the other hand, we put out roots into the world that dwells apart from God, or into ourselves (our human nature that does not desire the things of God), we will ultimately produce the kind of fruit we see all around us:  selfishness, hatred, bitterness, rivalery, evil desires, corruption and perversion, the feeling that everyone else is wrong except those in your own little group, etc...

We will be rooted in one soil or the other, and wherever we put down our roots, they will continue to grow stronger and more tenacious.  Ultimately, we will know the tree by its fruit.  It does not matter how feeble our efforts to turn to the Spirit; the tree begins with the feeblest of roots.  The soil of the Holy Spirit is strong and nourishing, and our souls will be filled with the finest of nutrients.  The least effort on our part to be rooted in God will be rewarded and strengthened.  So let us begin however we are led to begin to be rooted in God forever.