Deep Roots

 

                         

Spring is almost here, and it's that time of year again when the girls and I start propagating our vegetable seeds for summer gardening. The last time we did this, the girls were so excited—until they realized how time-consuming it was to watch for minimal or even no visible growth. It took a while, especially for our younger one, to understand that there's a period when you don't see much happening above ground, but the plants are actually working hard to grow and spread their roots beneath the soil. She had the hardest time with this, so when I wasn't looking, she dug up the seeds to see for herself if what I said was true. She said she wanted to make sure they were actually growing underneath, as I told her.

I’ve learned that roots have three important jobs: taking in water and nutrients from the soil, storing food for later, and holding the plant steady.

The Bible often compares believers and their faith to a growing plant, showing that root development is such an essential part of spiritual growth. At the start of our faith journey, we might not see much change on the outside, but we have to trust that God is still working. Like plants, the most important growth is happening unseen, deep inside. When we spend time with the Lord, our spiritual roots are growing. We are absorbing nourishment from God’s word, which keeps our spirits alive. We are also building and storing up Biblical wisdom for later. And last, we are becoming increasingly stable in our faith.

Just like a plant with strong roots can survive storms, a believer who trusts the process and takes the time to develop deep spiritual roots can face life’s challenges with spiritual strength.

blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD...They will be like a tree planted...that sends out its roots.... 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.” (Jer.17:8)

But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.  (Matt. 13:21)