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DE-ROOTING TIME “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” –Hebrews 12:14,15 As the weather warms up we begin thinking of outdoor cleanup and gardening. The first crop of the new season is actually already flourishing --dandelions! We can just run the lawn mower over them, and that will get rid of them for about a day. Tomorrow they will be up again, because the roots are still growing and flourishing beneath the soil out of plain sight, and the root dictates the fruit. So it is with our souls. When there’s a bitter root because of some perceived injustice of the past it just continues to sprout dandelions in our personality, nasty dandelions that show up in subtle ways like curtness, a sense of annoyance, short temperedness, etc. Whatever it is, it’s not the loving-kindness of the Lord. That nasty attitude, though it may be most easily expressed toward your spouse is also “defiling many.” You just don’t realize how unapproachable you become because of those “nasties.” Then you complain because they won’t talk with you! Who wants to talk with someone who is walking around with a nasty attitude all the time? It’s time to till the soil. Turn your soul inside out until you can get at the root, and let the blood of Jesus forgive you of the sin of unforgiveness, so that His grace can once again flow freely through your heart into the hearts of those you love and care for. It’s the fruit of the Spirit that we want them to see: the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. Before we try to sow more seeds this Spring, let’s first get before God, and ask Him to till the soil of our hearts, to expose the bitter roots so that we can pull them out, ask God to fill the hole with His grace, and watch as he grows a beautiful garden in our lives –free from those nasty dandelions! Question for the both of us: Do I come off to you or to others to be short tempered, or always annoyed, short or curt? Do you think I have a bitter root? Prayer for the Both of Us: Lord, turn over the soil of our hearts; expose the bitter roots that keep us from producing a harvest of righteousness. We confess our unforgiveness. Help us to manifest the fruit of Your Spirit in our lives so that instead of defiling many, we will be a blessing to many. They will see Jesus in us! |
© 2007 Marriage & Family Savers Ministries