Rooted

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Proverbs 12:12b the root of the righteous bears fruit.

Isaiah 27:6 In days to come Jacob shall take root, Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit.

Colossians 2:7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving

If you’ve ever planted a seed and waited and waited and waited some more to see that first green sprout appear, you might’ve thought “why does this take so long?”.  Similarly, if you’ve ever planted a seed of faith and waited and waited and waited some more to see that first opportunity for service appear, you might’ve thought “why does this take so long?”.

The answer to both questions is the same – fruit growth requires shoot growth while shoot growth requires root growth. And in that order. Roots then shoots then fruits.

The time before the first shoot appears is when so much vigorous yet unseen activity is going on deep in the soil, be it the soil under my feet or in my soul. Germination of the seed, bursting forth of the first root, then more and more roots, and then those tiny fuzzy root hairs proliferating all over the roots like little fingers searching for more water, more nutrients, and more space. There has been much growth going on even if I can’t see it with my eyes or sense it within my heart.

Without good root growth, there is no hope of good shoot growth. Root growth precedes, exceeds, and demands shoot growth. As much as I may want, even ache for, visible evidence of God germinating, growing, and maturing my mustard seed faith, I have to wait for the roots to grow. To grow deep down into Christ my Cornerstone. To grow strong, thick, in and into the Vine where I must abide as my Good Gardener God does His good work in and for me.

No roots = no shoots. 

Without good shoot growth, there is little hope of fruit growth. Shoot growth reflects, promotes, and produces fruit growth. As much as I may want to skip this step and go straight to fruit production, I must wait for the shoots to grow. To grow straight towards the Sun of Righteousness, my Christ. To grow strong, thick, in and into the Vine which is able to produce and sustain fruit in whatever form or amount my Good Gardener God desires from His good work in and through me.    

No shoots = no fruit.

Without good fruit growth, there is little hope of seed production. And without seeds, there is little hope for a lasting legacy stretching past my lifetime into generations to come and onwards into eternity. None of this is and nor can be about me. All of this can happen without me. Yet my Good Gardener God chooses to let me be a seed that abides in expectation for His kingdom and righteousness.

So I keep planting, praying, and watching the soil under my feet and in my soul, for that first green shoot of life to appear knowing that the roots have been growing already.

Jeremiah 17:8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.

Written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2021.